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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: "Gerald Smith" <gerald_smith6@msn.com>
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2005 22:19:05 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION

British Lottery International:
Customer Service
28 TANFIELD ROAD,
CROYDON.LONDON
Ref: BTL/491OX1/04
Batch: 12/25/0304
Date: 31/07/2005


WINNING NOTIFICATION

We happily announce to you the draw of the British Lottery
International
programs held on the 1st of July 2005 in London.Your e-mail address
attached
to ticket number: 564 75600545-188 with Serial number 5388/02 drew the
lucky
numbers: 31-6-26-13-35-7,which subsequently won you the lottery in the
2nd
category.You are therefore, been approved to claim a total sum of
US$2,500,000.00(Two million, five hundred thousand, United
StatesDollars) in
cash credited to file RPC/9080118308/04.This is from a total cash prize
of
US $125 Million dollars, shared amongst the first Fifty (50) lucky
winners
in this category.

This year Lottery Program Jackpot is the largest ever for British
Lottery
.The estimated $125 million jackpot would be the sixth-biggest in U.K.
history.The biggest was the $363 million jackpot that went to two
winners in
a May 2000 drawing of The Big Game, Mega Millions' predecessor.

Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European
booklet
representative office in Europe as indicated in our play coupon. In
view of
this, your US$2,500,000.00 (Two million, five hundred thousand,United
States
Dollars) would be released to you by our affiliate bank in London.Our
agent
will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your
funds to you as soon as you make contact with him .

All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web site
through
computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 companies.This
promotiontakes place annually. 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 a part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming
and
unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements.Please
be
warned.To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent with
the
below details for processing of your claims.
AGENT: Mr Quinn Rhodes
Email: quinnrhodes1@uk2.net

To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your
reference/batchnumbers 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,
Mr Gerald Smith
Zonal Coordinator


Anti-fraud resources: