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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.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "British Lotttery" <britishlotowinningnotice@msn.com>
Reply-To: edwardburt70@katamail.com
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 19:43:02 +0000
Subject: BRITISH LOTTERY WINNING NOTIFICATION

British Lottery Headquarters:
Customer Service
28 TANFIELD ROAD,
CROYDON.LONDON

Ref: BTL/491OXI/04
Batch: 12/25/0304


WINNING NOTIFICATION

We happily announce to you the draw of the British Lottery International
programs held on the 1st October,2005 in London. Your e-mail address
attached to ticket number: 564 75600545-188 with serial number 5388/02 drew
the lucky numbers: 31-6-26-13-35-7,which subsequently won you the lottery in
the 2nd category.
You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of GBP2,500,000.00(Two
million, five hundred thousand,Pounds) in cash credited to file
RPC/9080118308/04 made available from a total cash prize of GBP125 Million,
shared amongst the first Fifty (50) lucky winners in this category. This
years Lottery Program Jackpot is the largest ever for British Lottery .The
estimated GBP125 million jackpot would be the sixth-biggest in U.K. history.
The biggest was the GBP363 million jackpot that went to two winners in a May
2000 draw of The Big Game, Mega Millions' predecessor.

Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our booklet
representative office in Europe as indicated in our play coupon. In view of
this, your GBP2,500,000.00 (Two million, five hundred thousand,pounds) would
be released to you by our affiliate bank in London. Our agent will
immediately commence the facilitation of release of funds to you as soon as
you establish contact. All participants were selected randomly from world
wide web sites through a computer drawn system and
extracted from over 100,000 companies. This promotion takes place annually.
This is part of precautionary measures 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 with the below details for processing of your
claims.

AGENT:EDWARDS BURT
TEL:+ 447040110822
Email:edwardburt70@katamail.com

To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please
quote your reference/batch numbers in any
correspondences with our designated
agent. Congratulations once more from all members and
staff of this program.

Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery program.
Sincerely,

JESSICA HARRISON


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