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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: wheelofriches_za@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 15:51:22 +0200
Subject: AWARD NOTIFICATION FINAL NOTICE

FROM DESK OF: PROMOTIONS MANAGER,
DEAR WINNER,
REF: SSG/05/67910/ZT, BATCH: RSA/333
RE/ AWARD NOTIFICATION; FINAL NOTICE

We are pleased to inform you that you have emerged one of the Twelve (12) Winners of our Wheel of Riches Lottery Program which was drawn on the 15th of September, 2005. Your email/company, attached to compu-ticket play coupon No.531-1803-9713-1807, with serial number 5-66-308 draw the lucky numbers: 7-24-31-36-43 Bonus (18), and consequently won the lottery. You have therefore been approved for the sum pay out of $15,300,000.00 Fifthteen Million five Hundred Thousand dollars) in cash Credited, to file REF: SSG/05/67910/ZT.

This is from total prize money of $ 74,700,000.00 shared among the Seventeen International winners in this category. Participants were selected through a referral program and winners were automatically selected by Computer Ballot System (CBS), drawn from 45,000 global names from Australia, New Zealand, America, Asia, Europe, Africa and North America as part our International Promotions Program, which is conducted quarterly. Selection was based on individuals all over the world, who do register on the Internet daily.

This draw automatically qualifies you for our "New Year" International Grand draw of 2 Billion Euro that will take place by the Third quarter of 2005 (more info from our promotions office).
Your fund is now available for claim. For due processing and remittance of your prize money, to your chosen account or preferred payment method, please contact the CLAIMS DEPARTMENT.

CONTACT: Smilo Botha (Operations Manager)

Direct Tel: +27-83-539-1412, Direct Fax: +27-73-811-3975/9

EMAIL: wheelofriches_za@hotmail.com

Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform your claims agent as soon as possible. It is important to provide the following information clearly, to avoid any delays in processing your cash award.

Full Name:

Ref:

Batch:

Email:

Country of Origin:

NB: All claims must be submitted to the claims department not later than 7days of this notification otherwise will be automatically disqualified and Prize returned to (SSP) Charity Trust Account as unclaimed. For security reasons, winners are advised to keep their winning Information private and secured till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is part of our precautionary measures to avoid double claims and unwarranted abuse of this program. Any breach of this policy will result in automatic disqualification of prize claim.

We hope with a part of your prize, you will participate in our Second Quarter high stakes EURO 2 Billion International Lottery.
Congratulations! Once again from all our staffs/Funs, thank you for being part of our promotional programs.

Sincerely,

Kagz Marek

Executive Director (Promotions)
Wheel of Riches

Anti-fraud resources: