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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: "ann baker" <ann_baker_108@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: pfec_affairs@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 11:50:07 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION!!

ONLINE SWEEP LOTTERY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT
Ref: no: LSUK/2231/81/04
Batch No: OBW/A10-234


We are pleased to inform you of the result of the ONLINE SWEEP LOTTERY
PROGRAM which was held on the 29th July,2005 as part of our new year
celebration bonanza. Due tomix up of names, the results were finally
released on 10th of August, 2005. Your Email address attached to ticket
number OSL-1177678-750 with serial number 2113-77 drew the lucky numbers
4-18-77-30-31-35 which consequently won the lottery in the 1st category.


You have therefore been approved for a lump sum payout of 1,005,000.00 (One
Million And Five Thousand British Pounds Sterlings) in cash credited to file
LSUK/2231/81/04. This is from a total cash prize of 50 Million Pounds
Sterlings shared amongst the first fifty (50) lucky winners in different
categories. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system
drawn from 25,000 names from Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North
America as part of our international promotions program which we conduct
twice every year. This year Lottery Program Jackpot is the largest ever for
ONLINE SWEEP LOTTERY. The estimated 50 million Pounds Sterlings jackpot
would be the sixth-biggest in Europe 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.

Your fund is now deposited in an offshore bank insured in your name. Due to
the mix up of some numbers and names, we advice that you keep this award
from public notice until your claim has been processed and your money
remitted to
your nominated bank account as this is part of our security protocol to
avoid double claiming or unwarranted taking advantage of this program by the
general public.

Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet
representative office in Europe as indicated. In view of this, your
1,005,000.00 (One Million And Five Thousand British Pounds Sterlings) would
be released to you by our affiliate bank in Europe.

Our agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of
your funds to you as soon as you make contact with Him.

To begin your claim please contact your Fiduciary agent:

Mr.Robert Green
Foreign Services Manager,
PACIFIC FINANCE & EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
Phone#: +44 704-011-4037
Fax#: +44-870-121-9858
Email: pfec_affairs@yahoo.co.uk
cc:norbertgreen@yahoo.co.uk

Note : Call Mr.Green ASAP for processing & transfer of your claims on your
reciept of this notice.


Your claims agent will assist you in the processing and remittance of your
prize funds into your designated bank account.Note that all prize funds must
be claimed not later than two weeks from this announcement. After this date
all funds will be returned to the LOTTERY TREASURY as
unclaimed.

In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please endeavor to
quote your Reference (Ref: no: LSUK/2231/81/04) and Batch numbers (Batch No:
OBW/A10-234 ) in every correspondence with your agent. Furthermore, should
there be any change in your address, do inform your claims agent as soon as
possible.

Congratulations once again from all members of our staff and thanks for
being part of our promotions program.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs.Ann Baker.
Lottery Coordinator.


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