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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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Fraud email example:

From: "claims officer" <claims_officer1@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 02 Nov 2005 07:26:39 +0000
Subject: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

DEAR AWARD WINNER,

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT OF YOUR MAIL, AS REGARDS CLAIMING YOUR
WINNING PRIZE. WITH REFERENCE NUMBER: FL/04/736207155/UK.BE INFORMED THAT WE
HAVE IN OUR POSSESSION INSTRUMENTS OF PAYMENT FOR THE SUM OF
ONE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS.

PLEASE SEND TO US COPIES OF YOUR IDENTIFICATION PAPERS (DRIVER'S
LICENCE OR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT WILL DO), FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES.

PLEASE FIND AND FILL ONLINE WHERE APPLICABLE FOR CATEGORY ‘B’ WINNER FOR
VERIFICATION THE CLAIMS APPLICATION FORM.

http://www.royalfinancialexchangeservices.com

YOU CAN SEND YOUR IDENTIFICATION EITHER THROUGH EMAIL AS AN ATTACHMENT TO
ME, OR THROUGH MY DIRECT FAX NUMBER.

A SWIFT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE RECEIPT OF THIS MAIL WILL BE
APPRECIATED FOR FURTHER CLARIFICATION,
CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN!!

TRULY YOURS,

MR.WILLIAM CRAIG
Royal Finance & Securities
Address
342 Walworth road,
London,
SE172NA
United Kingdom
TEL: +447031965092
FAX: +447075187927

NOTICE:

Royal Finance & Securities is authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority. This transmission is strictly confidential and may be
legally privileged. It is solely for the addressee.

Access to this message by any other person is prohibited. If you are
Not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any
action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it is prohibited and may
be unlawful. Please immediately contact the sender should this
Message has been incorrectly transmitted. We reserve the right to take
Legal proceedings against anybody who makes improper copies or use of this
transmission.

Thank you for your attention and co-operation Royal Finance & Securities
Reg.No.4321397


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