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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: "john battel" <johnbattel38@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: johnsmithl@officer.com
Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2005 17:31:32 +0100
Subject: FINAL WINNING NOTIFICATION:

Sweeps stake Lottery
An Affiliate of International Lottery organization.
NIGERIA.


DEAR WINNER,





FINAL WINNING NOTIFICATION:
We happily announce to you the draw of the Sweeps stake Lottery
International programs held on the 1st of Jan 2005 in NIGERIA. Your e-mail
address attached to ticket number: 644 79543465 B44 which subsequently won
you the lottery in the 3rd category.
You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of
US$3,500,000.00(Three Million Five Hundred United States Dollars). This is
from a total cash prize of US$35 Million Dollars, shared amongst the first
hundred (10)lucky winners in this category.
Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our NIGERIAN booklet
representative office in NIGERIA as indicated in your play coupon.In view of
this, your US$3,500,000.00 (Three Million Five Hundred United States
Dollars) would be released to you by our security firm in NIGERIA. Our
Europian agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the
release of your funds as soon as you contact him.

All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web site through
computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 individuals and
companies.This promotion takes place only for this season before play coupon
begins. For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning
information confidential till your claims is processed and your money
remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is
part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted
abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements. Please be warned.
To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent: Mr JOHN SMITH
Email: johnsmith@officer,com
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, you are to contact Mr JOHN
SMITH followings
details below:
1. Your full name, telephone, contact address and
2. Quote your Ticket number in any correspondences with us or our
designated agent.
Congratulations, once more from all members and staffs of this program.Thank
you for being part of our promotional lottery program.DO NOT
REPLY TO THIS EMAIL CONTACT YOUR CLAIM AGENT DIRECTLY.

Best Regards,

Mr JOHN BATTEL
Zonal Coordinator


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