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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: "Psoft Intl Inc" <psoft@psoftinc.net>
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 11:34:40 +0000
Subject: SWEEPSTAKE PRIZE AWARD INFORMATION.

Psoft Intl Inc.
55-8 Hills Close
23416PL N. Island.
Ref No: Psfi-8813415/05.
Serial No: 003165



Date: September 15th, 2005.

Dear Sir/Madam,



We write to officially notify you of the result of the
PSoft Sweepstake draw that was conducted on the 15th
day of September 2005 and that this email address, which
was attached to Serial No: 003165 have won our
sweepstake program in the free prize category. We have
now approved you to a total payment sum of
USD$980,000:00 (NINE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY THOUSAND US
DOLLARS ONLY) as attaches to payment file Ref No:
Psfi-8813415/05. We are aware of the surprises that do
follow such a notification message based on the fact
that you have not purchase a lottery ticket from us,
but be informed here that it was a promotional program
from our software company in promoting the benefit of
the Internet usage.

These approved funds can be claim now by contacting
our assign payment house. Due to the nature of this
program, we ask that you keep a copy of this
notification message safe until your claim has been
processed and collected; as this is part of a new
security measures. You can begin your claim now by
contacting the Payment house on email address:
eckinsfin@excite.com with your complete names, Postal
Address, Telephone and Fax numbers, Occupation,
Reference/Serial numbers and the amount won for the
processing of this claim. Be informed also that all
funds not applied for after the 30th day of September
2005 will be return back to us.

Felicitations as we do expect you to make better use
of these funds.

Sincerely,
Perry Hans.
PSoft Intl Inc.
Email: psoft@winning.com


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