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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: Mr.Van Riche <van.riche4@virgilio.it>
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 14:50:55 +0100
Subject: END OF THE YEAR GIVE AWAY PRIZE AWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PLEASE CONFIRM

NOTE:PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS OFFICE, MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT YOUR
CLAIMS AGENT ABOVE, ALSO MAKE SURE YOU SEND DOWN YOUR PHONE AND FAX
NUMBERS TO YOUR CLAIMS OFFICER

FREE LOTTO AGENCY BV
FREE LOTTO PLAZA, SUITE 1102A
AMSTERDAM ZUID-OOST
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
Ref: OYL/34536380986/05
Batch: 05/763638/IPD
Dear Sir/Madam,

WINNING NOTIFICATION!!!!!!!!!!

We happily announce to you the draw of the FREE LOTTO AGENCY BV Sweepstake
Lottery International programs held on the Thursday 15th December, 2005 IN THE NETHERLANDS.
This is computer generated lotto's of internet users using email addresses as draws.

Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 275-189-657-23-05 with Serial number 8756-05 drew the
lucky numbers: 5 12 45 57 87 90, which subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category.

You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of €850, 000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty
Thousand Euros) in cash credited to file OYL/34536380986/05.This is from a total cash prize of
€8,500,000 Million Euros, shared amongst the first Ten (10) lucky winners in this category.

All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web site through computer draw system and
extracted from over 100,000 companies.This promotion takes place annually.

Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in
Europe as indicated in your play coupon.

In view of this, your €850,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty Thousand Euros) would be released to you by
our payment office in Europe.

Our European agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as
soon as you contact him.

For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claims is
processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize.

This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this
program by some unscrupulous elements. Please be warned.

To file for your claim on time, please contact your claims agent:
MR VAN DAN SER
EMAIL: vandanser2005@netscape.net
TELE/FAX: +31-205-241-255.

to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your reference/batch numbers in any
correspondences with us or our designated agent.

Congratulations once more from all members and staff of this program and the European Union.

Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery Program.
Sincerely,

MR.VAN RICHIE
FREE LOTTO AGENCY BV Co-coordinator

NOTE:PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS OFFICE, MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT YOUR
CLAIMS AGENT ABOVE, ALSO MAKE SURE YOU SEND DOWN YOUR PHONE AND FAX
NUMBERS TO YOUR CLAIMS OFFICER


Anti-fraud resources: