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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: "Global Sweepstakes" <globalsweepstakes2005draws@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 05 Jul 2005 11:42:17 +0000
Subject: From the Desk of the Head Co-Ordinator:WINNING NOTIFICATION.

Global Sweepstakes Lottery International
1 Craven Park
Harlesden
London
NW10
United Kingdom
Tel:+442085391003
Fax:+447092865464
Ref: GSL/988/05

Dear Sir/Madam,
WINNING NOTIFICATION.
Over the years the prestigious Global Sweepstakes lottery has set out and
sucessfully organised Sweepstakes on a daily,weekly,and annual basis. We
have equally maintained a standard unrivaled in the industry as it concerns
the pay out of winnings to sucessful participants.
In line with the commemorating event marking our 10th year anniversary we
rolled out over £2,000.000.00(Two million British Pounds) for our 10th year
Anniversary Draws. Participants for the draws were randomly selected and
drawn from a wide range of web hosts which enjoy our patronage. The
selection was made through a computer draw system attaching personalised
email addresses to ticket numbers.
Your email address as indicated was drawn and attached to Ticket Number
003895337498 with serial numbers GSL/9080118308/03 and drew the lucky
numbers 14-21-25-39-40-47(20) which subsequently won you £250,000.00 (Two
Hundred and fifty Thousand Great Britain Pounds) as one of the 10 jackpot
winners in this draw. You have therefore been approved the entire winning
sum of £250,000.00 (Two Hundred and fifty Thousand British Pounds).The draws
registered as Draw1 was conducted in Brockley,London United Kingdom on the
4th of july,2005. This lottery Draws is commemorative and special.
Please be informed by this Winning Notification to make contact with
your designated agent Mr David Drake who shall by duty guide you through
the process to facilitate the release of your winnings.
To file for your claim Please Contact your Fiduciary agent
Mr David Drake.
Global Sweepstakes Fiduciary Agent
E-mail: gstakesdrake@yahoo.co.uk

You are advised to contact your Fiduciary agent with the following details
to avoid unnecessary delays and complications.
Your Name (in Full).Ticket Number,Serial Number,and Lucky Numbers as
indicated in this winning Notification.
I wish to on behalf of Members and Staff of the Global Sweepstakes Lottery
International Congratulate you on your win and wish you the Best of luck as
you spend your good fortune.
Thank you for being part of our commemorative 10th Anniversary Draws.

Sincerely,
Sir Wayne Bunting (MPE)
Global Sweepstakes Lottery Head Co-ordinator.
NB:
PLEASE NOTE! Any claim not made before twenty one(21) working days from date
of notification will indicate that the winner has voluntarily forfeited
his/her winnings.


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