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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: "eurolotto agent" <eurolottoagent2003@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2005 05:46:25 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION

Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION
PRIME LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
LOTTERY PROMOTION
Customer Service
17-19 Cole Street,
Baines Middlesex TW18 4TP
United Kingdom.
REF. NO. PTP/UK/9420X2/68
BACTH NO: PTP/074/05/ZY/569
WINNING NOTIFICATION:
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT PRIME LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPT. www.primeday.nl
BACTH NO: PTP/074/05/ZY/569
REF. NO. PTP/UK/9420X2/68
This is to inform you of the release of the E-MAIL LOTTERY BALLOT
INTERNATIONAL/ WORLD GAMING BOARD held on the 31Th of oct, 2005. Due
to the mix up of number, the results were released on the 16th of Nov, 2005.
Your name attached to ticket number 219028657434 with serial number
18735625drew the prime numbers of 21-70-81-82-99 which consequently
won the lottery in the 1st category. You have therefore been approved for a
lump sum payout of $2,500,000:00 Only (TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS ONLY) in cash which is deposited with a Finance & Security Company
in
your favor as beneficiary and covered with HIGH INSURANCE POLICY
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 only
Microsoft users from over 20,000.00 companies and 3,000,000 individual email
addresses and names from all over the world. To begin your lottery
claim, please contact our agent below that have been appointed for the
processing of your claim with your contact telephone and fax number to begin
the
processing of your claim: PRIME LOTTO PAYMENT OFFICE MANCHESTER
ENGLAND CONTACT NAME: PETER KIND:
CITY/ COUNTRY: MANCHESTER ENGLAND
reply email to :euro_lottoagent@yahoo.co.uk
Note that all winning must be claimed not later than 15th of Dev 2005.
After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next
stake.
Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications
please 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. 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,
Katlen Willer
Prime Lottery.


Anti-fraud resources: