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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: "Prize Award Department" <prizeaward_05@prizenotice.net>
Date: Fri, 05 Aug 2005 13:51:07 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATION OUR LUCKY WINNER

INTERNATIONAL/PRIZE AWARD DEPT
REF:CL/7675213911/05
BATCH:HME/8561513507.
MID-DAY
Dear Winner,
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners
International programs held on the 20th of July,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 winning
number 9-6-3 which consequently won in category D(MID-DAY), you have
therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$1,750,000.00 (ONE
MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY 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.It is
an avenue for us to show appreciation to our esteem customers and also to
contribute in our own quota in economic development. 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 Leasing and
Commission agent:
===========================================
Mr James O'Neal
United Kingdom-London
Email: mrjoneal@btinternet.com
Tel: +44-704-010-8384
Fax: +44-709-284-4202

==============================================
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 16th 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,you
should always adhere to theirs instructions.
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,we hope will have been able to make your
dreams come true in this new year.
Note: Any form of delay will jeopardise your winning.

Yours Sincerely,
Mrs Maria Gold
Lottery Coordinator


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