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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.

 

 

Please note about this email:

Fraud email example:

From: "UK NATIONAL LOTTERY" <online_notification_7@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 20:16:28 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION

GRAND UNIVERSAL PROMO
10 NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE,
LONDON WC2N 5BX, THE UNITED KINGDOM,
FROM: THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR PROMOTIONS,
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT.
REF: GUPL/67-AO91652004
WINNING NOTIFICATION

     We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today,23rd of September
2005,of winners of the GRAND UNIVERSAL PROMO held on 30th of August 2005.
Your email address was attached to ticket number 13-2316-5086-477; with
serial number A025-09 drew the lucky numbers 37-13-34-85-56-87, and
consequently won in category A. You have therefore been approved
 for a lump sum pay out of US$1,000,000.00 in cash credited to
 file REF NO. GUPL/67-AO91652004.
This is from total prize money of US$3,000.000.00 shared among the three
international winners in the category A.

      All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn
from 100,000 companies/individuals from Middle East, Australia, New
Zealand,America,Asia,Europe and North America as part of our International
Promotions Program,which is conducted annually. CONGRATULATIONS!
Your fund is now deposited with a Security company insured in your name.
Due to the mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this award
strictly from public notice until your claim has been processed and your
money remitted to your account. This is part of our security protocol to
avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by participants of this program.
We hope with a part of you prize, you will participate in our end of year
high stakes US$10Million international lotto.
 
      To begin your claim, please respond back to your claims agent;
Sean Davis.
agentdavis_winningnotification@yahoo.co.uk
He will brief you on steps to be taken for due processing and remittance
of your prize money. Remember, you must contact him using his mailing address
not later than two weeks after this date or funds will be returned as
unclaimed.
NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember
to quote your reference number in every one of your correspondences.
Ticket number 13-2316-5086-477
Serial number A025-09
Lucky numbers 37-13-34-85-56-87
File REF NO. GUPL/67-AO91652004
Congratulations again from all our staff and thank you for being part of
our promotions program.
Sincerely,
Mr.Brian Lloyds,
THE DIRECTOR PROMOTIONS,
GRAND UNIVERSAL PROMO.
N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the
Winners will result to disqualification.

Anti-fraud resources: