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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: "nike balogun" <nikesbalogun@balosil.com>
Date: Wed, 01 Jun 2005 09:40:02 +0000
Subject: Uk Service Contact Mr Scott Smith................

FROM:THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR OF PROMOTION
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT
UK NATIONAL LOTTO HEADQUATERS
Macclesfield,United Kingdom.
Customer's Service Center
Ref Number: UK/910/16454
Batch Number:VC/32/ID1141
Dispatch Date:01/06/2005

Dear Sir/Madam
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners
International programs held on the 01/5/2005 in ENGLAND AND
WALES. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 5224652456UT with
serial number 0098/UK0204,batch number VC/32/ID1141,lottery ref number
UK/910/16454 and drew lucky numbers 03-01-15-20-34-33-07 which
consequently won in the 1st category, you have therefore been
approved for a lump sum pay out of US$2.500,000.00 (TWO
MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND United States dollars)in cash credited to
file KLTT/KTU/2004ETN.This is from a total cash
prize of US$25 Million dollars, shared amongst the first
TEN (10) lucky winners in this First category.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask
that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims
has been processed and your money Remitted to you. This is part of
our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse
of
this program by some participants. All participants were selected
through a computer ballot system drawn from over 40,000 company and
20,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the
world.This promotional program takes place every year.
This lottery was promoted and sponsored by Association of software
producers.To file for your claim,please contact our fiducial agent:
========================================================================

Dr Scott Smith
UK NATIONAL INC.
Macclesfield,United Kingdom
Email:claimsinfo@cooperation.net
Email:infowinners12@excite.com
Contact:+4470 31843540
Fax:+44-0870 068 4912
Fax:+44-0870 068 4914
========================================================================

Remember, all winning in this first category must be claimed not later
than 30st of JULY,2005. After this date all unclaimed funds will
be included in the next stake. Please note in order to avoid
unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your
reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence.
Furthermore,should there be any change of address
do inform our agent as soon as possible.
Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for
being part of our promot ional program.Note that you must
contact your claims agent within one week of receipt
of this notice.
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
Sincerely,
MRS.S.B WILLIAMS
UK-LOTTO Co-ordinator.


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