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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: "Pee Software Inc" <pee_software@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Jun 2005 07:57:45 +0000
Subject: PRIZE AWARD MESSAGE.

PEE SOFTWARE INC.
SWEEPSTAKES DIVISION.
4 NEW ELLAND PARK
FORROES ISLAND.
REF NO: PSFI-79134/1519/05.
SERIAL NO: 11306-05



DATE: 22nd June 2005.

Attn: Sir/Madam,


This is to officially notify you of the result of our
Pee (Software) Sweepstake draw, which was conducted on
the 22nd day of June 2005. This email address, which
was attached to Serial no: 11306-05 have won you our
sweepstake program in the free prize category. We have
now approved you to collect a total payment sum of
USD$980,000:00 (NINE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY THOUSAND US
DOLLARS ONLY) attaches to payment file REF NO:
PSFI-79134/1519/05. We know of the surprises that
follow such a notification message based on the fact
that you have not purchase a lottery ticket from us,
but be informed here that it was a promotional program
from our software department in promoting the benefit
of the Internet usage.

These approved funds can be claim now by contacting
our payment finance house. Due to the nature of this
program, we ask that you keep a low profile until your
claim has been processed and collected; as this is
part of a new security measures. You can begin your
claim now by contacting the Payment center on email
address: hfinance@excite.com with your complete names,
Mailing Address, Telephone and Fax numbers,
Reference/Serial numbers and the amount won for the
processing of the winning entitlement. Be informed
also that all funds not applied for after the 5th day
of July 2005 will be return back to us.

Felicitations as we do expect you to make a better use
of these funds.

Sincerely,
Nicolas Dannish.
Sweepstake Division.
Pee Software Inc.



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