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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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.

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: meritlotteries@zwallet.com
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2005 16:49:34 +0100
Subject: Your Email details have won in our Online Lottery Draw.


MERIT LOTTERIES (ONLINE) LOTTERY SYSTEMS.
P.O. BOX 1668,BASSONIA,
JOHANNESBURG.
BATCH: 31/576809/SAPPD
REF NO: SAR/23457677/2005.
RE/ AWARD NOTIFICATION; FIRST NOTICE.
YOUR COMPANY / PRIVATE E-MAIL ADDRESS WON THE IN THE SECOND CATEGORY DRAW.
We wish to inform and congratulate you on your Email details being drawn as a winner in our computer balloting sweepstake held on the 11th of June, 2005. This is a millennium scientific computer game in which Email addresses were chosen at random. It is a promotional program aimed at Promoting Tourism in the Southern African Development Community to the International community; therefore you do not need to buy ticket to enter for it.Your email address attached to ticket number 12, 15, 21, 27, 35, drew the lucky numbers which consequently won the draw in the Second category. You have been approved for the second category prize of SIX MILLION RANDS(ZAR 6,000,000.00)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you receive
your lump prize in your account.This is a protective measure to avoid double
claiming by unscrupulous people. To begin processing of your claims,you are required to note;
[1]You are to call Mr.Paul Msibi of MERITFINANCE,a subsidiary of MeritLotteries,by telephone +27 73 816 4637,immediately you receive this notification,this Telephone call is important for record purposes.
[2] You are to indicate to Mr.Paul Msibi the possibility of your arrival to South-Africa to physically claim your winnings.
[3]Finally you are required,after making the Confirmation Telephone call to send Your details,viz:
[1]Full names,
[2]Physical Address,
[3]Telephone and Fax numbers to ;
MR.PAUL MSIBI
MERITFINANCE(PTY) LTD.
P.O.BOX 2433,RANDPARK RIDGE,JOHANNESBURG.
TEL:+27 73 816 4637
EMAIL:meritfinance@sify.com

We advise strict adherence to these rules in order to avoid double claiming and to avoid abuse of this promotional programme.We are in a position to provide you refernces of past winners of the previous 2 draws already held.
All prizes must be claimed within 10 working days.
NOTE: If you are under the age of 18, you are required to notify Mr.Nkosi,our intention is to protect the interest of our winners and to ensure they receive their winnings in full.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs. ZELDA VAN DER MERWE.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam