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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: "century agency" <century001@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 12:56:11 +0000
Subject: Winning Notification

CENTURY SWEEPSTAKES AGENCY
CONSUMER AFFAIRS,SHELLBRIDGE
WAY RICHMOND, SUITE 800
MANITOBA CANADA

WINNING NOTIFICATION:

We are pleased to announce to you the draw of the Century Sweepstakes Agency
International programs held on the 5th of March in Accra Ghana.In
conjunction with the West African monetary institute and CALYPSO GROUP INC.
a Ticket number: 800/3591/521/LGH attached to your e-mail address a which
subsequently won you the lottery in the 3rd category.

You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of US$1,000,000.00
(one Million United States Dollars). This is from a total cash prize of
US$12,000,000.00(Twelve Million Dollars),shared amongst the first Twelve
(12)lucky winners in this category.

Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our African booklet
representative office in Accra Ghana (Africa) as indicated in your play
coupon.

In view of this, your US$1,000,000.00 (one Million United States Dollars)
would be released to you by our Century Sweepstakes Agency (OFFICE)in Accra
Ghana Africa. Our Africa 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 taking place now as we shall commence sales of
ticket by next year.

For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information
confidential till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you.
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 in for your claim, please contact our Africa Agent: MR. philip
cadwell on Email : phillcadwell@keromail.com

To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, you are to contact Mr.philip
cadwell with the followings details below:

1. Your full names
2. Telephone and fax numbers
3. Contact address
4. Country of residence
5. Winning Ticket Number
6. Occupation

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.

Sincerely,
Dr. Stevenson Drut
Zonal Coordinator


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