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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: "Jane Littlewood" <jane_littlewood@camelotukpromos.net>
Date: Tue, 03 May 2005 05:55:56 +0000
Subject: AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION!!!

REF NO: MELI-T/ 17-F044262312
BATCH: 901/00319/HLP


AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION: FINAL NOTICE.

We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today of winners of the
MEGA JACKPOT LOTTO WINNINGS, PROGRAMS held on 3rd May,2005.Your company or
your personal e-mail address, is attached to ticket number
9901-0148-790-691, with serial number 66109-17 drew the lucky numbers
990-11-815-37-10-83, and consequently won the lottery in the 2nd
category.You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of three
hundred thousand dollars in cash credited to file REF NO: MELI-T/
17-F044262312. This is from total prize money of NINE millions dollars
shared among the Thirty (30) international winners in this category.

All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from
25,000 names from Australia, New Zealand, America, Europe, North America and
Asia, as part of International Promotions Program, which is conducted
annually.Your fund has been deposited in an escrow account and insured in
your Name. Due to the mix up of some numbers and names, we
ask that you keep this award strictly from public notice until your claim
has been Processed and your money remitted to your account. This is part of
our security protocol to avoid double claiming or Unscrupulous acts by
participants of this program. We hope with a part of your prize, you will
participate in our year high stakes One million dollars International
Lottery.

To claim your winning prize, you must first contact the claims
department by email:

Mr. Duke Edwards
E-mail: camelotukpromos@uk2.net

Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than the 10th
May,2005..All funds not claimed on or before the fixed date will be returned
as unclaimed.

NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please
remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in all correspondences
with this office. Furthermore, should there be any change of your address,
do inform us as soon as possible. Congratulations again from
all our staff for being part of our Promotions program.

Sincerely,
Mrs Jane Littlewood
For Camelot lotto

N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result in
disqualification and any winner below the age of 18years is automatically
disqualified.


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