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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: "Mary Stewarts" <emailgamespromotion3@msn.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 13:47:50 +0000
Subject: **WINNING NOTIFICATION**

LEEDS PROMOTIONS
Airport Hale Rd Halebarns
Altrincham Cheshire WA15 8XW UK

Batch No: WD18/0065/04RN
Our Ref: UKNL/255457004/04


TO WINNERS IN OUR PROGRAM

We wish to congratulate you over your success in our computer balloting
sweepstake held on 25Th November 2005.This is a millennium scientific
computer game in which email addresses were used. It is a promotional
program aimed at encouraging internet users;therefore you do not need to buy
ticket to enter for the game. However, your email address was attached to
ticket number 03422478556 with serial number 129 draw the lucky numbers
06-09-13-15-40-43-02, which eventually won the lottery in the first category
of the draws. Therefore, you have won a lottery jackpot prize awards of
£1,500,000.00 (one million five hundred thousand pounds Sterling Only)
This is from total prize money of US$30,000,000.00 distributed to winners
from 1st to 3rd categories.

Note that this program was largely promoted and sponsored by a group of
philanthropist, industrialists from the internet ware industry and some
other big multinational firms who wish to be anonymous. You may wish to
establish contact via e-mail with the particulars presented below
citing the batch and reference numbers to this letter.
Telephone lines are open between the hours of 8.00am - 7.30pm on Monday
through Friday
Customer Service Unit,
Tel/Fax No: +44-870-135-2454
Email: lotteryselectors@netscape.net
Contact person: MR CHRISTIAN MIKE.
Our winners are assured of the utmost standards of confidentiality, and
press anonymity until the end of proceedings, and beyond where they so
desire. Be further advised to maintain the strictest level of
confidentiality until the end of proceedings to circumvent problems
associated with fraudulent cliams.

CONGRATULATIONS !!!
At your disposal, we remain.Very Truly Yours,
MARY STEWART (Mrs.),
Director.
International Promotions Unit,
UK Leeds Promotions LOTTERY,
Airport Hale Rd Halebarns
Altrincham Cheshire WA15 8XW UK


Anti-fraud resources: