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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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Please note about this email:

Fraud email example:

From: "STEVEN ANDERSON" <infosteven@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: steveanderson@o2.pl
Date: Sat, 26 Nov 2005 15:06:52 +0000
Subject: ATTN: PIET

The uk National Lottery
PO Box 287
Watford WD18 9TT
UNITED KINGDOM
website: www.national-lottery.co.uk
 
Ref: UK/9420X2/68
Batch: 074/05/ZY369
 
ATTN: PIET,
 
 
We happily announce to you the Lotto draw (#974) of the UK NATIONAL LOTTERY, online Sweepstakes International program held today 15th day of November 2005.Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 56475600545188 with Serial number 5368/02 drew the lucky numbers: 03-18-25-29-31-43(bonus no.) which subsequently you won the lottery in the first category i.e match 6 plus bonus.
 
You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of £4,788,056 ( Four Million Seven Hundred and eighty eight Thousand and  fifty six pounds in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/03.Your fund is now deposited with a security company insured to your name. Due to mixe up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this award top secret from public notice until your claim has been processed and your money remitted to your account as this is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unwarranted taking  advantage of this program by participants.
 
All participants names/e-mail addresses were selected through computer ballot system drawn from 25,000 names from Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East and North America as part of our International Promotion Program which we conduct once every year. we hope with part of your  prize, you will take part in our end of the year high stake of US$1.3 Billion International Lottery.
To begin your claims, please contact your claims agent, PAUL WILLIAMS,the co-ordinator/Service manager of SAFEGUARD SECURITIES AND FINANCE CO. on Tel/Fax:Tel/+447040191110, Email: (paulwilliams1@o2.pl) confirming to him your full name, contact address, and phone number for filing and processing of your award certificate.
 
For processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated account of your choice. Remember,all prize money must be claimed not later than 20th day of December 2005. After this date, all funds will be returned by our payee bankers,to the Ministry of Economy as unclaimed,which would be used for the next lotto draw.  NOTE: in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference and batch number in every of your correspondence with us or our payee bank. furthermore should there be any change of Address, do inform us as soon as possible.
Congratulations,
 
Yours Sincerely.
 
STEVEN ANDERSON.
National Lottery Cordinator

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