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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: "Microsoft Email Lottery" <mel_lotterywinners@msn.com>
Reply-To: jefflawson8@excite.com
Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2005 17:13:54 +0000
Subject: ATTN: WINNING NOTIFICATION

MICROSOFT EMAIL LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL.
HOOFGHESS 103 KL
1102 GH,
AMSTERDAM-NETHERLANDS.
FROM:THE DESK OF THE VICE PRESIDENT.
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD.
 
BACTH NO: 213-127-798-ppl1102.
SERIAL NO;63-PR-LD44
 
FINAL WINNING NOTIFICATION,
 
Attn,Winner
 
This is to inform you of the release of the MICROSOFT EMAIL LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL/ WORLD GAMING BOARD held on the 11 October, 2005 Due to the mix up of numbers, the results were released on the 15th October, 2005. Your name attached to ticket666/09/pr also with with drew the lucky numbers of 7-9-2-8 which consequently won the lottery in the 1st category. You have therefore been approved for payment THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY.( US$350,000.00 ) cash credited to file with REF. NO.633/98/401
 
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  paticipants.All participants were selected through a computer ballot  system drawn from only Microsoft users from over 20,000 company, and 3,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world.This promotional program takes place every three years. For your processing of your claim please contact our fudicial agent in the legaldepartment.
 
Mr. Jeff Lawson 
TEL: 0031-615-223-119
FAX: 0031-615-223-119
Email: jefflawson8@excite.com
MICROSOFT EMAIL LOTTERY INTER.
 
processing and remittance of your winning prize money to a destination of your choice.Any claim not made befor 30th October this day will be returned to the MINISTERIAL VAN DE ECONOMIA NETHERLANDS. Note that all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.
 
Also in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all your correspondence with Mr.Paul Smith
 
Please follow all his instructions.Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform us as quickly as possible.
                    
Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for  being part of our promotional program.
 
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
 
Yours Sincerely,
Sandra Blaze Hoornbeck
Vice President,
MICROSOFT EMAIL LOTTERY INTER.

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