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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: "Adam Smith" <uknational28@msn.com>
Date: Thu, 04 Aug 2005 05:13:11 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU HAVE WON.

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY.
PRIZE AWARD DEPT
REF:PL2/209318/09
BATCH:18/103/HME.

Attn:Winner,
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the
Lottery Winners International programs held on the
28/06/2005. Your e-mail address attached to ticket
number 436425795822-5022 with serial number 6614102,
batch number 8561513507,lottery ref number 7675213911
and drew lucky numbers 7-9-4-17-34-44 which
consequently won in the category C.

you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of
US$2.500,000.00 (TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND
United States dollars)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that
you keep your winning information confidential until
your claims has 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 40,000 company and 20,000,000 individual
email addresses and names from all over the world.

This promotional program takes place every year. This
lottery was promoted and sponsored by Association of
software producers. we hope with part of your
winning,you will take part in our next year US$20
million international lottery. To file for your claim,
please contact our fiducial agent:
==============================================================
Mr.Adam Smith
GULF ATLANTIC S A .
woodgreen,london.
Email:uknational28@excite.com
Tel:+447875561705
==============================================================
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than
15th 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 and
batch numbers in all correspondence. Furthermore,
should there be any change of address do inform our
agent as soon as possible.

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.


Yours Sincerely,


John Forster.
Lottery Coordinator


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