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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: Hanna <hannar@luxmail.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 20:57:49 +0100
Subject: wining notification


Euromillion Lotery Germany
Potsdamnerplatz 10
Berlin Germany
Ref. N? PGB/007/05/12/MAD.
Batch. N? GHT/2907/333/06.
YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WON THIS YEAR EURO MILLION
LOTTERY.
We wish to congratulate you over your email success in our computer
balloting sweepstake held on 2nd January2006. 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 it your email address attached to ticket star number
(4-5) drew the EUROMILLION lucky numbers 3-19-26-49-50 which consequently
won the draw in the Second category. You have been approved for the star
prize of EUR 667,248.26. (Six Hundred And Sixty Seven Thousand, Two
Hundred and Fourty Eight Euros. Twenty Six Cents)
CONGRATULATIONS !!!
You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you receive
your lump prize in your account or optional cheque issuance to you.
This is a protective measure to avoid double claiming by people you may
tell as we have had cases like this before, please send your Full
Name,Home and Office Tel & Fax Number, Mobile Tel Number and your winning
ticket number,reference numbers and amount won information for processing
of your winning fund to our registered claim agent in addrres below.
APEX Trust AGENCY GMBH,
Mr.Morris Weeks
Address: Potsdamnerplatz 10
Berlin Germany.
E-mail:apexgmbh@myway.com
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 24th of February,
2006.Please note, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications,
remember to quote your reference number and batch number in all
correspondence.
Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as
soon as possible.
Once again congratulations.
Best regard,
Mrs. Hanna Raucher,
Lottery coordinator.
This promotional program takes place every year. This lottery was promoted
and sponsored by THE MANAGEMENT OF THE STAATSLOTERIJ COMPANY B.V AND
SULTAN OF BRUNEI, we hope with part of your winning you will take part on
our next year €2 million international lottery.

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