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

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS. DOREEN PERCY" <internationalprogram@mails.de>
Reply-To: megaclaimcentre@netscape.net
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2005 19:49:10 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOUR EMAIL I.D. DRAW WINNING


CLAIM YOUR WINNING PRIZE.
Your Ref. Number: 742/159/2005
Batch Number: 80157-BC722
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the International Lottery program held on the 20th October, 2005.
Your e-mail address ID attached to ticket number 375143279-6261 with serial number 430852075-3 drew lucky numbers 736-14883545 which consequently won in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$ 1,000,000.00 (One Million United States Dollars).

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 20,000 company and 30,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every three year. This lottery was promoted and sponsored by Bill Gates, President of the World Largest software=MICROSOFT: http://evan.quuxuum.org/bgnw.html and http://www.microsoft.com/billgates/bio.asp
We hope with part of your winning you will take part in our next USD 50 million international lottery.
To file for your claim, please contact our fiducial agent:
=======================================
DR. BASIL OSWALD
MEGA TRUST AGENCY
MADRID SPAIN
TEL: + 3 4697 334 043
FAX: + 3 3820 563 127
E-Mail:megaclaimcenter@netscape.net
=======================================
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 20th November, 2005. After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.
Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications also remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence. Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible.
To enable you file your winning prize, you are advised to fully comply with our co-respondent agency office.
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.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. Doreen Percy
Lottery Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources: