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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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Please note about this email:

Fraud email example:

From: "PAUL NEVILLE" <claimsdept_ukwinnings@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 06 Jul 2005 16:57:04 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION..

WORLD WINNINGS SWEEPSTAKES LOTTO Headquarters:
Customer Service
580 N. Tenth Street, CA 85914
Arena Complex Km 18 Route de Rufisque
I.P.P Award Dept.
Johannesburg, South Africa.
 
Ref: WSS/9420X2/68
Batch: 074/05/ZY369

                WINNING NOTIFICATION:

We happily announce to you the draw of the World Sweepstake Lottery International programs held on the 5th July 2005 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 564 75600545 188 with Serial number 5368/02 drew the lucky numbers:19-6-26-17-35-7, which subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category.You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of US$500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) in cash credited to file ktu/9023118308/03.This is from a total cash prize of US $ 5 Million dollars, shared amongst the first Ten (10) lucky winners in this category.
 
All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 800,000 companys and 1,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world
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 US$500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) would be released to you by our payment office in europe. Our European agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him.
For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements. Please be warned.
 
This lottery is promoted and sponsored by software corporations and other private organizations to help individuals generate fortunes which would encourage them to expand their business frontiers and assist with humanitarian concerns. Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform us as soon as possible. Congratulations from our organization and thank you for being part of our promotional program.
 
To file for your claim, please contact your fiduciary agent;
FELIX REUTIMANN.
Email: claimsdept@cooperation.net
 
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your reference/batch numbers in any correspondences with us or our designated agent. Congratulations once more from all members and staffs of this program.
Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery program.

Sincerely,
SIR JAMES WILTORD.
WORLD SWEEPSTAKES LOTTO Co-ordinator .

Anti-fraud resources: