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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: "eurolottery" <eurolottery@seram.org>
Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2005 16:10:20 -0500
Subject: AWARD NOTIFICATION.

EURO INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY
12 BRIDGE STREET,
STAINES MIDDLESEX TW18 4TP UK
UNITED KINGDOM

Dear Sir/Madam
This is to inform you that have been selected for a cash prize of £800.000 (EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND GREAT BRITISH POUNDS) International programs lottery held on tuesday 30th of August 2005 in the London(The united kingdom).
The selection process was carried out through random selection in our computerized email selection system(ESS) from a database of over 250,000 email addresses of Individuals and companys drawn from all the continents of the world.
This Lottery is approved by the British Gaming Board and also Licensed by the The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR). This promotional lottery is the tenth of its kind.
To begin the processing of your prize you are to contact your claims officer through our accredited Prize Transfer agents as stated below:

MR. MCDONALD OWENS
LINK TRUST FINANCE LTD
(Claim agent)
EMAIL: mcdonald_owens@yahoo.co.uk
TEL: +447040111478

contact him as soon as possible,provide him with your secret pin code x7pwyz2005 and your reference number BWBI:2551256003/23.
failure to contact your claims agent within 7 working days of this notification,your winnings would be revoked. Winners are advised to keep their winning details/information from the public to avoid fraudulent claim (IMPORTANT)pending the transfer/claim by Winner.
Accept my hearty congratulations once again!
Regards
Mrs Susan Hart
Director Gen. of promotions
AWARD NOTIFICATION

Anti-fraud resources: