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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: "BRITISH LOTTERY INTERTNATIONAL" <uk_lotto01@msn.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 08:24:13 +0000
Subject: WINNINIG NOTIFICATION

Ref. Number: BTL/491OXI/04
Batch Number: 12/25/0304
Ticket Number: 564 75600545-188
Serial Number: 5388/02

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Winners in our
International Lottery Program held on the 8th of octorber. Your e-mail
address attached to ticket number 564 75600545-188 with serial number
5388/02 drew lucky numbers 7-14-18-31-45, which consequently won in the 2ND
category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of
USD2,500,000 (Two Million,five hundred thousand dollars). CONGRATULATIONS!

Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning
information confidential until your claims have been fully processed and
your money remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid
multiple claims 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 five years.

This lottery was promoted and sponsored by a conglomerate of some
multinational companies in Europe as part of their social responsibility to
the citizens in the communities where they have operational base. We hope
with part of your winnings you will take part in our next year Ten million
Euros international lottery. To file for your claim, please contact our
director of finance.

Dr.Donald Brown
Reply Email >uk2005promoc2@excite.com

Remember all winning must be claimed not later than 9th of december
2005.After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.

Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember
to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence.
Furthermore should there be any change of email address do inform our agent
as soon 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,

Mr. Anthony Campbell
British Lottery International (co-coordinator)
N.B: Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result to
disqualification. Please do not reply to this mail. Contact our director of
finance.


Anti-fraud resources: