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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: "DR.MRS.ELIZABETH KARL LOUIS" <prudent_financelottery@yahoo.fr> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 17:05:34 +0400
Subject: AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION

AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION
We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today, of the winners of Prudent Finance lottery winners Switzerland an International Lottery Program, held on January 18, 2005 as part of our quarterly promotional draws.
Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 2,500,000 email addresses of individuals and companies from Africa, America, Asia, Australia,Canada, Europe, Middle East, and New Zealand as part of our electronic business Promotions Program. You qualified for the draw as a result of your visiting various Websites we are running on the internet.
You/Your Company, attached to ticket number 100-309-7482, with serial number 513-10 drew the lucky numbers 5, 9, 12, 29, 40, 59, 76, and consequently won in the Second Category. You have therefore been approved for a lump sum payment of US$1.5 Million (United State Dollars) in certified cashiers cheque or by electronic transfer.
CONGRATULATIONS!
To begin your claim, please contact us for the processing of your Claim immediately with the following email address; ( prudentprocesscenter@yahoo.fr </ym/Compose?To=prudentprocesscenter@yahoo.fr> )
you must contact our office not later Two weeks from the date of receipt of this mail otherwise, all funds will be returned as unclaimed.
Also provide the following information to expedite the processing of
your prize claim
FULL NAME:
COMPANY NAME:
FULL ADDRESS:
AMOUNT WON:
TEL:
FAX:
EMAIL:
REF#:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY / INDIVIDUAL
NOTE:
In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember
to quote your reference and batch numbers provided below in every one of your correspondences with your claims agent. REFERENCE NUMBER: FLS-ZR39-825P-4 BATCH NUMBER: 74-263-BBN
Congratulations once again from all our staff and thank you for being part of our promotions program.
Sincerely,
DR.MRS.ELIZABETH KARL LOUIS
PROMOTIONS MANAGERESS.
PRUDENT FINANCE LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL,
ZURICH-SWITZERLAND.
N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result in disqualification



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