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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: Chris Renee <renchris@alvilag.hu>
Date: Tue, 03 May 2005 01:22:50 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATION

ATTN.: Dear Winner,

FROM: THE DESK OF THE PROMOTIONS MANAGER,
SUNSWEETWIN LOTTO PROMO LOTTERY, THE NETHERLANDS. INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT, ALFONSTRAAT B56, 1002 BS AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS.

REF: OYL /26510460037/02
BATCH: 24/00319/IPD

ATTENTION: RE/ AWARD NOTIFICATION/FINAL NOTICE

We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today, 2nd, May 2005 of Winners of the SUNSWEETWIN PROMO LOTTERY, THE NETHERLANDS/ INTERNATIONAL, PROGRAMS held on 28th, April 2005.

Your company/name, is attached to ticket number 023-0148-790-459, with serial number 5073-11 drew the lucky numbers 43-11-44-37-10-43, and consequently won the lottery in the 3rd category.

You have therefore been approved for lump sum pay Out of US$5,500.000.00 Million in cash credited to file REF NO.OYL/25041238013/02. This is from total prize Money Of US$80,400,000.00 shared among the seventeen 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.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Your fund is now deposited with a Security company Insured.

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 mid year high stakes US$1.3Billion International Lottery.

To begin your claim, please contact your claim Agent:
MR. ATKINS HOPEWELL.
WOOD FOREIGN SERVICE MANAGER,
Vertex Finance Company: atkinhopewell205@yahoo.co.uk

for due processing and remittance of your prize Money to a designated account of your choice. Please send down your Telephone and Fax nos.

Remember that all prize money must be claimed not later than 25th, March 2005. After this date, all funds Will Be returned as unclaimed.

NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and Complications, please remember to quote your Reference and batch numbers in every one of your Correspondences with your agent.

Furthermore, should there be any Change of your address; do inform your claims agent as soon as possible.

Congratulations again from all our staff and thank you for being part of our promotions program.

Sincerely,
Ms. Chris Renee.
The Promotions Manager, SUNSWEETWIN LOTTO
PROMO LOTTERY, THE NETHERLANDS.

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