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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: "SOUTH AUSTRALIA LOTTERIES." <arielsbertis@universia.edu.ve>
Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2005 10:51:39 +0100
Subject: LOTTERY

South Australia Lotteries,
23 Rundle Mall, Adelaide,
South Australia.
(South Australia Lottories is an affiliate of Overseas Subscriber
Agents).
Arena Complex 14 Donegall Square West, United Kingdom.

From: Ariel Bertis
e-mail : arielsbertis@universia.edu.ve
(Lottery Coordinator)

Sir/adam,

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the South Australia
Lotteries Winners International programs held on the 20th, July, 2005.
Your e-mail address attached to ticket #: 00903228100 with prize #
778009/2 drew €1,000,000.00 which was first in the 2nd class of the
draws.
you are to receive €1,000,000.00 (One Million Euros). Because of mix up
in cash pay-outs, we ask that you keep your winning information
confidential until your money (€1,000,000.00) has been fully remitted
to you by our accredited pay-point bank. This measure must be adhere
to avoid loss of your cash prize - winners of our cash prizes are
advised to adhere to these instructions to forestall the abuse of this
program by other participants.
It's important to note that this draws were conducted formally, and
winners are selected through an internet ballot system from 60,000
individual and companies e-mail addresses - the draws are conducted
around the world through our internet based ballot system. The
promotion is sponsored and promoted by South Australia lotteries.
We congratulate you once again. We hope you will use part of it in our
next draws; the jackpot winning is €85million.
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 20 days.
After this date all unclaimed cash prize will be forfeited and included
in the next sweepstake.
Please, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications remember
to quote personal and winning numbers in all correspondence with us.

Congratulations once again from all members of South Australia
Lotteries. Thank you for being part of our promotional program.

For immediate release of your cash prize to you, please kindly contact
our Paying Bank ( Deutsche Bank, Amsterdam.)
Send them the following:
(i). Your names, (ii) Contact telephone and fax numbers (iii) Contact
Address (iv) your winning numbers (v) Quote amount won.

Contact the paying bank with the following:
Contact person: Mr. Tom Morris,
Deutsche Bank, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
E-mail:custservices@netscape.net
Tel: 31 621-916-606
Fax: 31-847-504-579

Congratulations once again.
Yours in service,
Ariel Bertis
(Lottery director)



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