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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Rita Hamilton." <ritaham@netscape.net>
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2005 18:48:37 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: FINAL AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION/


This is a multi-part message in MIME format
--c7cacaaf-5ce5-49bc-b663-650cc12a82f3
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

ACCREDITED LICENSED AGENT MR.JOE WEST. FAMOUS CULTURE LOTTERY AGENCY,
Ref. Number: 7ZQ/P56/414N Batch
Number:K54890137-846H
Sir/Madam We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners =
International programs held on the 14th March, 2005. Your e-mail address =
attached to ticket number ML511465892-6410 with serial number 5S82-517 drew =
lucky numbers PR-5-G8-23-21-4P which consequently won in the 1st category, =
you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$ 1000,000.00 =
(one million United States Dollars) CONGRATULATIONS!!! Due to mix up of some =
numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information
confidential until your claims have been processed and your money
remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double
claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. All
participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from
over 20,000 company and 30,000,000 individual Email addresses and names
from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every
three years. This lottery was promoted and sponsored by Presidents of
the World Largest software, we hope with part of your winning you will
take part in our next year USD50 million international lottery. To file
for your claim, please contact our FIDUCIAL Agent MR. JOE WEST,TO FAMOUS =
CULTURE LOTTERY AGENCY.
Tel: 0032485129514 ,
EMAIL:famousculture1@netscape.net
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 26th of May ,
2005.After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next
stake.Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications.
Please remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all
correspondence. Furthermore, should there be any change of address do
inform our agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once more from our
members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional
program.
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
Yours Sincerely
Mrs. Rita Hamilton.
Lottery Coordinator.
--c7cacaaf-5ce5-49bc-b663-650cc12a82f3--



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