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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: Mark Smith <winninginfo@primewinningsdraw.org>
Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 03:03:25 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION

PRIME LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
UNDER UK NATIONAL LOTTERY
Customer Service
Ref: LSUK/2031/8161/04
Batch: R3/A312-59..

WINNING NOTIFICATION:


We happily announce to you the draw of the UK-LOTTO Sweepstake
Lottery International programs held on the 6th MAY, 2005.
in AMSTERDAM,NETHERLANDS.
Your e-mail address attached to ticket number:5368/02 with Serial
number:564
75600545 188 drew the lucky numbers: 19-6-26-17-35-7, which
subsequently won
you the lottery in the 2nd category.You have therefore been approved to
claim
a total sum of US$2,500,000.00 (Two million,Five Hundred Thousand
United States
Dollars) in cash credited to file ktu/9023118308/03.This is from a
total cash
prize of US $ 25 Million dollars, shared amongst the first Ten (10)
lucky
winners in this category.
All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web site
through
computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 companies. This
promotion
takes place annually.
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 US$2,500,000.00 (Two million,Five Hundred Thousand United
States
Dollars) would be released to you by our payment office .
Our agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the
release of
your funds as soon as you contact him.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:
BARRISTER JERRY WILSON
Email:winningenquiries@kchbarristers.com
TELL:+44 7031 844 168
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your
reference/batch numbers in any correspondences with us or our
designated agent.
Congratulations once more from all members and staffs of this program.
Thank
you for being part of our promotional lottery program.

Sincerely,
MARK SMITH
UK-LOTTO Co-ordinator


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