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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "uknationallotteryoffice manchesterengland"
<uknationallotteryoffice_england@msn.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2006 04:57:42 +0000
Subject: FROM THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT!!!

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
UK NATIONAL E-MAIL LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
 
 
BACTH NO: PTP/31211214257/190888/2202
REF.  NO: PTP/21449267220/255100//2202
 
This is to inform you of the release of the E-MAIL LOTTERY BALLOT
INTERNATIONAL/ WORLD GAMING BOARD held on the 22nd of November, 2005.
Due to the mix up of number, the results were released on the 30TH
of November 2005. Your name attached to ticket number 219028657434 with
serial number 18735625 drew the lucky 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
( Three million pounds only) incash which is deposited with a Finance
& Security Company in your favour 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:
 
UK NATIONAL LOTTERY OFFICE MANCHESTER ENGLAND
CONTACT NAME: MICHEAL WOOD
CITY/ COUNTRY: MANCHESTER ENGLAND
TEL: +447962825529
FAX:  +4487 0133 4585
Email:maeheal@excite.com

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,
 
Mrs. Van Brook
-Congratulations!!!

       

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