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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: "Lotto Office" <lottoffice1@msn.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 16:17:36 +0000
Subject: A LUCKY DAY

INTERNATIONAL/PRIZE AWARD DEPT
REF:PL2/209318/09
BATCH:18/103/HME.

Attention

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners
International programs held on this 1st of September (2005) year in Lagos,
Nigeria .Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 436425795822-5022
with serial number 6614102,batch number 8561513507,lottery ref number
7675213911 and drew lucky numbers 7-9-4-17-34-44 which consequently won in
category C, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of
US$1,000,000,00(ONE MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLAR) CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning
information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money
Remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double
claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. All
participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over
40,000 company and 10,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all
over the world.

This promotional program takes place every year. This lottery was promoted
and sponsored by Association of software producers. we hope with part of
your winning,you wil l take part in our next year US$10 million
international lottery.

Remember, all winning must be claimed fast and urgent.

Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please
remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all
correspondence.

Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being
part of our promotional program.

Note: Any form of delay will only jeopardise your winning.A Lucky day.
Please Take Note and kindly get back to me through my alternative
delotto1000@yahoo.fr

Yours Sincerely,
Lottery Authority


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