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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: "Damon Johnson." <megagames2006@coolkiwi.com>
Date: Fri, 03 Jun 2005 09:02:08 -0600
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION/FINAL NOTICE

FROM: MEGAGAMES PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
REF: CEL/2311786008/01
BATCH: 118/00R78/I03PD

RE: WINNING NOTIFICATION/FINAL NOTICE

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the of the MEGAGAMES
Lottery International programs held on the 10th of January 2005. Your
e-mail address attached to ticket number 20511465886-629 with serial
number
3772-99 drew lucky numbers 7-14-17-23-31-44 which consequently won in
the 2nd category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay
out of Three Million United State Dollars (US$3,000,000)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your
winning information confidential until your claim 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 100,000 company and 50,000,000 individual email addresses and
names from
all over the world. This promotional program takes place every three
years.We hope with part of your winning you will take part in our end
of
the year 50 million Euro International lottery.

To file for your claim, Please contact our Fiduciary Agent MR Daniel
Smith of Prime Security Bank And Trust via the e-mail address below:
info@primesbtonline.net and make sure you forward a copy of your
response to
megagames2006@yahoo.com Along with the Response please make
sure you include the following details: Full Name, Date of Birth,
Mailing Address,Telephone,fax number, Occupation

Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 20th of June 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 promotional program.
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.


Sincerely yours,
Damon Johnson.
Winning Coordinator



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