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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "mario hooks" <infotoday@uwinmexico.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2005 00:30:09 +0000
Subject: CONGRAT

Note:CONTACT YOUR CLAIM AGENT DIRECTLY:lotteryagent2@virgilio.it

NEW MEXICO LOTTERY HEADQUATERS:
245 QUEENS WAY,
LONDON,
ENGLAND.

WINNING INFORMATION:
We happily announce to you the draw of the NEW MEXICO Lottery programs held
on the 21st of April, 2005 in london England. Your e-mail address attached
to ticket
number:2247887653,serial number:88901;which subsequently won you the lottery
in the 2ND category. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum
of 1,000,000 EURO(ONEMILLION EURO) in cash. This is from a total cash prize
of 100 MILLION EURO,shared amongst the first hundred (100) lucky winners in
this category.
Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet
representative office in Europe as indicated in your play coupon.In view of
this, your 1,000,000 EURO(ONE MILLION EURO) would be released to you by our
Security firm.
All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web site through
computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 individuals and
companies.The Lottery teams up with local companies and media partners to
promote Lottery products, and informs citizens on where the proceeds from
Lottery ticket sales go.
A statewide focus is taken on most large promotions, and the Lottery works
with local companies, such as Pepsi, in "co-Promotional" partnerships. These
partnerships help each company introduce new products to customers. This
promotion takes place annually. For security reasons, you are advised to
keep your winning information confidential till your claims is processed
and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your
prize. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming
and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements. Please
be warned.

To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent:
Name: mario hooks
Email:lotteryagent2@virgilio.it
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, you are to contact mario
hooks with followings details below:
1. Your full names,telephone, contact address and
2. quote your Ticket number,and serial number, in any correspondences with
us or our designated agent.Our agent will immediately commence the process
to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him.
The Lottery is strongly committed to maintaining the privacy of personal
information that is gathered from the use of its web site and web services.
The following statement discloses the Lottery's privacy policy and its
information gathering/dissemination practices.The Lottery will not release
personal information to third parties except where it is already provided by
law. Depending on the specific nature of the service,Information may be
shared with other state agencies as stated in the Open Records Act. This
statute allows for the exchange of public records or sharing of information
between
public agencies when the exchange is serving a legitimate governmental need
or is necessary in the performance of a legitimate government function.
E-mail addresses or other information that is obtained as a result of
interacting with the Colorado Lottery web site will be used for the benefit
of the Lottery and will not be sold to third party companies
except as required by the Open Records Act.
The Lottery will not share personal information with any private party,
except as required by the Open Records Act.
DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. CONTACT YOUR CLAIM AGENT
DIRECTLY.
Sincerely,
Agent Pedro Luis
(Zonal Coordinator)
SEND YOUR EMAIL TO:lotteryagent2@virgilio.it



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