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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: "sharon radnitz" <sunsweetlottos@msn.com>
Reply-To: mr_livingstone147@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 13:11:01 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS:

SUNSWEETWIN LOTTO PROMOTION
ALFONSRAAT B56 1002 BS AMSTERDAM
NETHERLANDS.
From:sharon Radnitz
Ref. Nnumber: 132/756/4007
Batch Number: 538901527-BB67

Dear Winner,

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners
International programs held on the 10th of JUNE,2005. Your e-mail address
attached to ticket number 27511465896-6410 with serial number 3772-510 drew
lucky numbers 7-14-88-23-31-45 which consequently won in the 3rd
category,you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$
2,500,000 (Two million five hundred thousand United States
Dollars)ONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!.

Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning
information personal until your claims have been processed and your money
Remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double
claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.All
participants were selected Through a computer ballot system drawn from over
20,000 company and 30,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all
over the world.This
promotional program is conducted annually.

This lottery was promoted by the software corporation to compensate some few
individuals with website and email eddresses we hope with part of your
winning you will take part in our next year USD50 million international
lottery.Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 11TH of
AUGUST,2005.After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next
stake.Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications
please remember to quote your reference number in all correspondence.

Please contact the payment officer of this promotion for the release of your
prize.

Payment officer.
Mr.saut nainngolan
Email;mr_saut147@ny.com

Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being
part of our promotional program.

Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.

Sincerely yours,
Mrs.sharon Radnitz
Lottery Coordinator


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