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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: "Mrs.Jane Littlewoods" <notification@camelotonlinepromos.com>
Date: Fri, 03 Jun 2005 07:09:58 -0800
Subject: [Shaw Suspected Junk Email] NOTICE: PRICE APPROVAL NOTIFICATION

REF NO: MELI-T/ 17-F044262312

BATCH: 901/00319/HLP

RE: AWARD WINNING APPROVAL: FINAL NOTICE.

We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today of winners of the
MEGA JACKPOT LOTTO WINNINGS, PROGRAMS held on 28th May, 2005.Your company or
your personal e-mail address, is attached to ticket number
9901-0148-790-691, with serial number 66109-17 drew the lucky numbers
990-11-815-37-10-83, and consequently won the lottery in the 2nd category.

You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of three hundred
thousand dollars in cash credited to file REF NO: MELI-T/ 17-F044262312.This
is from total prize money of NINE millions dollars shared among the Thirty
(30) 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.

Your fund has been deposited in an escrow account and insured in your Name.
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 year high stakes ONE million dollars
International on line promotions.

To claim your winning prize, you must first contact the claims department by
email:

Mr. Duke Edwards

dukedwards@uk2.net

For processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated Account of
your choice. Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than the
10th June,2005..All funds not claimed on or before the fixed date will be
returned as unclaimed.

NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please
remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in all correspondences
with this office.

Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform us as
soon as possible. Congratulations again from all our staff for being part of
our

Promotions program.

Sincerely,

Mrs Jane Littlewood

For Camelot Universal promotions

N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result in
disqualification and any winner below the age of 18years is automatically
disqualified.

Anti-fraud resources: