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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: "LOTTERY WINNERS" <lotto@josephdaudu-associate.com>
Reply-To: lottery12@teenmail.co.za
Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 13:47:03 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS

WINNING FINAL NOTIFICATION

Dear Winner,

We are officially informing you of the result of the Lottery Winners
International programs held on the 14th of February 2005 as part of
our promotional programs for the year 2005. Your e-mail address
attached to ticket number 77007742781005-18721 with reference number
414-3721060 drew winning numbers 7-00-71-00-66-49 and credited to batch
number 121cfc,which consequently won in the 3rd category via our electronic
ticket asstated above. You have therefore been approved for a pay out of
£1,800,000.00 (One Million Eight Hundred Thousand Pounds).

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Total funds have now been deposited and insured with our affiliate
security firm for transfer into your nominated bank account either by
means of wire transfers through any of our correspondent banks or any other
means suitable to you. We also advice that you keep your winning
informationvery confidential as our security policy demands to avoid double
claims/impersonation and unwarranted abuse of this program by some
individuals.

All participants were selected through a random computer ballot system
drawn from over 800,000 company and 1,000,000 individual email addresses
and names from all over the world. This promotional program takes place
annually and we hope with part of your winning you will take part in our
next year £20 Million Pounds International Lottery. To file for your claim,
you will be contacting our accounts department authorized to verifyand
process your claims for your total payment (You will receive more
information upon your acknowledgment of this email).

This lottery is promoted and sponsored by software corporations and
other private organizations to help individuals generate fortunes
which would encourage them to expand their business frontiers thereby
creating more opportunities and assisting with humanitarian concerns within
their immediate environment. Please Note that winnings must be claimed not
later than 8th of June 2005. After this date all unclaimed funds will be
included in our subsequent program coming up later in 2006. In order to
avoid complications always quote your reference number in all
correspondence.

Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform us as soon
as possible. Congratulations from our organization and thank you for
being part of our promotional program.

N.B: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified from
this program.

Sincerely yours,
Mrs.Doris Carl
Programs & Events coordinator
WINNING FINAL NOTIFICATION

Dear Winner,

We are officially informing you of the result of the Lottery Winners
International programs held on the 14th of February 2005 as part of
our promotional programs for the year 2005. Your e-mail address
attached to ticket number 77007742781005-18721 with reference number
414-3721060 drew winning numbers 7-00-71-00-66-49 and credited to batch
number 121cfc,which consequently won in the 3rd category via our electronic
ticket asstated above. You have therefore been approved for a pay out of
£1,800,000.00 (One Million Eight Hundred Thousand Pounds).

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Total funds have now been deposited and insured with our affiliate
security firm for transfer into your nominated bank account either by
means of wire transfers through any of our correspondent banks or any other
means suitable to you. We also advice that you keep your winning
informationvery confidential as our security policy demands to avoid double
claims/impersonation and unwarranted abuse of this program by some
individuals.

All participants were selected through a random computer ballot system
drawn from over 800,000 company and 1,000,000 individual email addresses
and names from all over the world. This promotional program takes place
annually and we hope with part of your winning you will take part in our
next year £20 Million Pounds International Lottery. To file for your claim,
you will be contacting our accounts department authorized to verifyand
process your claims for your total payment (You will receive more
information upon your acknowledgment of this email).

This lottery is promoted and sponsored by software corporations and
other private organizations to help individuals generate fortunes
which would encourage them to expand their business frontiers thereby
creating more opportunities and assisting with humanitarian concerns within
their immediate environment. Please Note that winnings must be claimed not
later than 8th of June 2005. After this date all unclaimed funds will be
included in our subsequent program coming up later in 2006. In order to
avoid complications always quote your reference number in all
correspondence.

Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform us as soon
as possible. Congratulations from our organization and thank you for
being part of our promotional program.

N.B: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified from
this program.

Sincerely yours,
Mrs.Doris Carl
Programs & Events coordinator


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