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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: "Emails Annual Lottery Award" <emailsloteryaward2005@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 10:18:08 +0000
Subject: !!!!!!!!!!!!!WINNING NOTIFICATION!!!!!!!!!!

FROM: THE DESK OF THE VICE¨PRESIDENT INTERNATIONAL
LOTTERY
PROMOTIONS/PRIZE GIVING AWARD
AVENUE NKURUMA SECTOR,104OUAGA BP
!!!!!!!!!!!!!CONGRATULATION!!!!!!!!!!
DATE 21st
JULY, 2005

Dear lucky winner
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the INTERNATIONAL POOLS
LOTTERY RAFFLE DRAW
International programs held on the 2nd of April,2005.
Your e-mail address was attached to ticket number 31008478-2514785 with
serial number 114522069 drew lucky numbers996632145 which consequently won
in the 2nd category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum payment
of €850,000.00 euros. (eight Hundred and fifty Thousand Euros).
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning
information confidential untill your claim has been processed and your money
Remitted to you. This is part of our security protocols 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's email addresses from all
over the world. This promotional program takes place every year.
This lottery was promoted and sponsored by International software
organisation committe,we hope with part of your winning you will take part
in our next coming ( 1 million euro) international lottery.
To file for your claim, please contact our claim agent Email
award_winning2005@graffiti.net
CONGRATULATION !!!
Contact your claim agent for due processing and remittance of your prize
money to a designated account of your choice.
Remember, you must contact your claims officer not later than 2nd of
August,2005.
After this date,all funds will be returned as unclaimed.
NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please
remember to quote your reference numbers in every one of your
correspondences with your officers. Furthermore,should there be any change
of your address, do inform your claims officer
as soon as possible.
Congratulations again from all our staff and thank you for being part of our
promotions program.

We wish you continued good fortunes.
Best regards.

Mr Andrews Flegh


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