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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: "supper summerlotto" <suppersummerlotto@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2005 13:44:24 +0000
Subject: NOTIFICATION

FROM:THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR OF PROMOTION
SUPPER SUMMER LOTTO
REF:PL2/209318/09
BATCH:18/103/HME.
Dear Winner,
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners
International programs held on the 20/07/2005. Your e-mail address attached
to ticket number 224425795822-5022 with serial number 6614102, batch number
4351513507,lottery ref number 7675213911 and drew lucky numbers 7-9-4-17-34
which consequently
won in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay
out of US$200,000.00 (TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND United States dollars).

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Due to mix up of some numbers and names, 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 drawn from over
40,000 company and 20,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all
over the world.

This promotional program takes place every year. This lottery was promoted
and sponsored by Association of software producers. we hope with part of
your winning,you will take part in our next year US$10 million international
lottery. To file for your claim, please contact our fiducial agent:
==============================================
ESTHER VAN DONCK(CUSTOMER SERVICE)
MR. PETER SHNEIDER COORDINATOR
EURO-WORLD AGENCY
W. T .C. ZUID OOST
FLR.7, SUITE 71146
EMAIL: euro-worldagency@caramail.com OR euroworldagency@katamail.com
==============================================
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 30th of September,
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.

Yours Sincerely,
Johan Erasmus.
Lottery Coordinator.


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