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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: "SWEEPS STAKE LOTTERY" <sweepsstakelottery04@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 22:50:57 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION:

Sweeps stake Lottery
an Affiliate of International Lottery
organization. London.

WINNING NOTIFICATION:

We happily announce to you the draw of the Sweeps stake Lottery
International programs held on the 22RD Sep 2005 in London. 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
S$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 Europian booklet representative office in
London 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 London. 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: MARC DOUGLAS

Email:sweepsstake11@yahoo.com

To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, you are to contact Mr. Marc
Douglas with 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.

YOU ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THIS EMAIL
FOR YOUR CLAIM AGENT DIRECTLY.

Best Regards,

Mrs Jennifer Smith
Zonal Coordinator


Anti-fraud resources: