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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: "ems lotto" <emslotto@emsdept.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 13:00:52 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATION

Euro Sweepstakes
12 Bridge Street,
Staines Middlesex TW18 4TP
United Kingdom.
Ref:EMS/4080318306/04
Batch: 19/07/EC11
WINNING NOTIFICATION:
We sincerely announce to you the result of the draw of the Euro Millions
05/49 held on the Friday 4th, June 2005 in London, UK.
Your e-mail address attached to ticket number:5436467704 with Serial number
Z87968DX drew the Winning numbers: 20 21 26 32 46 08 09,which subsequently
won you the lottery Jackpot.You have therefore been approved to claim a
total sum of EUR12,348,100 (Twelve Million, Three hundred and Fourthy
Eight thousand,One hundred Euros) in cash, credited to file with reference
number EML/4080318306/05.

All participants for the online version were selected randomly from the
World Wide Web through a computer draw system and extracted from over
100,000 unions, associations, and corporate bodies that are listed online.
This promotion takes place weekly. Please note that your lucky winning
number falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe as
indicated in your play coupon.

In view of this, your EUR12,348,100 (Twelve Million, Three hundred and
Fourthy Eight thousand,One hundred Euros) would be released to you by the
paying Bank.
To file for your claim, please contact me immediately and fill item 1 to 12:
Provide me with the information
below:

1.Name:
2.Address:
3.Marital Status:
4.Occupation:
5.Age:
6.Sex:
7.Nationality:
8.Country Of Residence:
9.Telephone Number:
10.Fax Number:
11.Draw Number above:
12.Annual income:

Congratulations once more from all members and staff of this program.
Thank you for being part of our draw lottery.

Sincerely,
John Moore
EMS Zonal Coordinator.

NB: YOU MUST BE 16 OR OVER TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE


Anti-fraud resources: