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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: "luckydaylottery@mailtobe.com" <luckydaylottery@mailtobe.com> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2005 06:43:26 -0700
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION.

LUCKYDAY LOTTERY INT'L.
VIJZELSTRAAT 56,1017HD,
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS.
www.luckyday.nl

FILE REF NO: DA 2005-001-LDL
BATCH NO: 1505/004NL

WINNING NOTIFICATION.

We wish to congratulate you over your success in our computer balloting sweepstakers held on 19th June,2005.

This is a millennium scientific computer draws in which email addresses were used. It is a promotional program aimed at encouraging internet users; therefore you do not need to buy ticket to enter for it. However, your email address was attached to ticket number 10CBG3471913, with serial number 19034, draw the lucky numbers 1-9-74-31, which eventually won the lottery in the first category of the draws. This entitled to a cash award of US $1,500,000.00 (ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS). This is from total prize money of US $30,000,000.00, distributed to winners from 1st to 3rd categories.

Note that this program was largely promoted and sponsored by a group of philanthropists,industrialists from the internet ware,industries and some other big multinational firms who wish to be anonymous.

CONGRATULATIONS:Your fund is now deposited with our finance Department,and due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this winning private from public notice until your claim is been processed and your money remitted to your designated account.This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claims and unwarranted taking advantage of this programme by participants.
Remember that all winnings must be claimed not later than 16th July,2005. After this date all unclaimed funds will be returned to the pool as unclaimed.

NOTE:In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications,please quote your reference and batch numbers in all correspondence with your agent. Furthermore,should there be any change of address,do inform your agent as soon as possible.Anybody under the age of 18 years is automatically disqualified.Congratulations once again from our members of staff and thanking you for being part of our promotional programme.
Please forward your reply and your contact details to our claims coordinator:

James Sager
Email address: wentexservice@gua.net
TEL: 0031 616 242 674

Yours Faithfully,
Steve Meijer
For Luckyday Lottery Int'l









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