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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: "Group Lotto" <grouplotto1@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 10:10:32 +0000
Subject: LOTTERY WINNING NOTIFICATION/ FINAL NOTICE

LOTTERY WINNING NOTIFICATION/ FINAL NOTICE


EMAIL LOTTERY SWEEPSTAKES
(ACCREDITED LICENSED AGENT TO GROUPLOTTO INTERNATIONAL)


Ref. Number: 087/109/2208
Batch Number: 4444-7993-JA 4L

Sir/Madam
We are pleased to inform you about the result of the Lottery Winners
International
programs held on the 12th September 2005. Your e-mail address attached to
ticket number
15666040- with serial number 5185-888 drew lucky numbers 2-34-90-57-1101
which
consequently won in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a
lump sum
pay out of
US$ 1,000,000.00 (One Million United States Dollars)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Due to the mix up of some numbers and name's 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 drawnfrom
over 15,000
company and 10,000,000 individual email addresses and names
from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every three
years.

This lottery was promoted by the software corporation to compensate some
few individuals with website and email addresses, we hope that with part of
your winning you will take part in our next year USD15 million
internationallottery.
To file for your claim, please contact our FIDUCIAL AGENT:

MR. JAMES PETERSON OF GROUPLOTTO INTERNATIONAL.
TEL: +31-645-566-893
Email: grouploto58@netscape.net

Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 15th of October 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.

Sincerely yours,

Mrs. Wendy Smith.
(Lottery Coordinator)


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