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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: "john samson" <johnsamson005@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2005 06:38:14 -0400
Subject: WINNINGS!!!

Dear Winner,
WINNING FINAL NOTIFICATION
We are officially informing you of the result of the Lottery Winners
International programs held on the 15th of SEPTEMBER 2005 as part of our
promotional programs for the year 2005. Your e-mail address attached to
ticket number 77007742781005-18721 with reference number 414-3721060 drew
winning numbers 7-00-71-00-66-49 and credited to batch number 121cfc, which
consequently won in the 3rd category via our electronic ticket as stated
above. You have therefore been approved for a pay out of £1,800,000.00 (One
Million Eight Hundred Thousand Pounds).

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Total funds have now been deposited and insured with our affiliate security
firm for transfer into your nominated bank account either by means of wire
transfers through any of our correspondent banks or any other means suitable
to you. We also advice that you keep your winning information very
confidential as our security policy demands to avoid double
claims/impersonation and unwarranted abuse of this program by some
individuals.

All participants were selected through a random computer ballot system drawn
from over 800,000 company and 1,000,000 individual email addresses and names
from all over the world. This promotional program takes place annually and
we hope with part of your winning you will take part in our next year ?20
Million Pounds International Lottery. To file for your claim, you will be
contacting our accounts department authorized to verify and process your
claims for your total payment (You will receive more information upon your
acknowledgment of this email).

This lottery is promoted and sponsored by software corporations and other
private organizations to help individuals generate fortunes which would
encourage them to expand their business frontiers thereby creating more
opportunities and assisting with humanitarian concerns within their
immediate environment. Please Note that winnings must be claimed not later
than 15th of OCTOBER 2005. After this date all unclaimed funds will be
included in our subsequent program coming up later in 2005. In order to
avoid complications always quote your reference number in all
correspondence.

Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform us as soon as
possible. Congratulations from our organization and thank you for being part
of our promotional program.

N.B: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified from this
program.
Sincerely yours,
Mr,John Samson
programs $ Events Co.ordinator
Email; john_samson@uk2.net
(Highwood group)

REPLY TO
EMAIL: John_samson@uk2.net


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