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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: "francis williams" <fawilliams777@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: fran_willams777@yahoo.ca
Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2005 02:17:39 +0100
Subject: 2005 ONLINE WINNERS.

The National Lottery
P O Box 1010
Liverpool, L70 1NL
UNITED KINGDOM
(Customer Services)
Ref: UK/9420X2/68
Batch: 074/05/ZY369
Fax: 44 (0)871 661 8831

FINAL WINNING NOTIFICATION:

Dear Lucky Winner,

RE: BONUS LOTTERY PROMOTION PRIZE AWARDS WINNING NOTIFICATION


We are pleased to notify you the draw (#915) of the UK NATIONAL LOTTERY,
Online Sweepstakes International Lottery Program held on Friday 26 January
04,
2005.

Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from a
pool of over 25,000 names of distinguished professionals drawn from Europe,
America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Middle-East, parts of Africa, and
North & South America as part of our international promotions programme
conducted annually to encourage prospective overseas entries. We hope with
part of your prize awards, you will take part in our subsequent lottery
jackpots.

The result of our computer draw (#915) selected your name and email address
attached to e-ticket number: 56475600545 188 with Serial number 5368/02 drew
the lucky numbers: 04-14-23-31-35-41(bonus no.24), which subsequently won
you the lottery in the 2nd category i.e. match 5 plus bonus.

You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of £150,000,00 (One
Hundren and Fifty Thousand Pounds Sterling) in cash credited to file
KTU/9023118308/03.This is from a total cash prize of £456,000,00 shared
amongst the first Six (6) lucky winners in this category i.e. Match 5 plus
bonus.

Your prize award has been insured in your name and is ready for claims. To
begin your claims therefore, you are advised to expeditiously contact our
licensed and accredited claim agent for Overseas Lottery Winners within a
period of 21 days (date of this email inclusive) for the processing of your
winning and remittance to your designated bank account after all statutory
obligations have been satisfactorily dispensed with.

This promotion takes place weekly. Please note that your lucky winning
number falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe as
indicated in your play coupon. In view of this, your £150,000,00 (One
Hundren and Fifty Thousand Pounds Sterling) would be released to you by any
of our payment offices in Europe.

Please be informed that claims not processed within the stipulated period
may be forfeited to the pool without further notice.

Our European agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the
release of your funds as soon as you contact him. You may wish to establish
contact via e-mail with the particulars presented below citing the batch and
reference numbers to this letter between the hours of 8.00am - 7.30pm on
Monday through Friday

Overseas Claims Unit
United Kingdom Lottery Fiduciary
Contact Person: Mr. Francis Williams
Email: fran_willams777@yahoo.ca
Phone: +447031947148
Fax : +448704783855

Our winners are assured of the utmost standards of confidentiality, and
press anonymity until the end of proceedings, and beyond where they so
desire. Be further advised to maintain the strictest level of
confidentiality until the end of proceedings to circumvent problems
associated with fraudulent claims. This is part of our precautionary measure
to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

At your disposal, we remain.
Very Truly Yours,

Bertron Hill



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