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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: "IRISH LOTTERY CLAIMS" <irishlottery_claimsireland@msn.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 03:25:58 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE A WINNER


Ireland 
IRISH GOVERNMENT ACCREDITED LICENSED
IRISH WEB LOTTERY
IS REGISTERED UNDER THE DATA PROTECTION ACT OF
(Registration Z720633X).
The Irish Lottery
47 Meadow Vale,
Sligo, Ireland.
Ref: 
LSUK/2031/8161/06
Batch: R3/A312-59
We are pleased to announce to you the draw of the IRISH LOTTERY PROGRAMME
online Sweepstakes International Program held on 28TH  JANUARY. 2006. 
Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 56475600545 188 with Draw Number 06/8 drew the lucky number: 10 1 9 13 27 36 38 6 which subsequently won the LOTTO PLUS 1 prize.
You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of  €   450,000. (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Euros) in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/06 of Irish Lottery.
All participants for the online version were selected randomly from theWorld Wide Web through a computer draw system and extracted from over100,000 unions, associations, and corporate bodies that are listed online.This promotion takes place weekly. 
Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe as indicated in your playcoupon. In view of this, your   €  450,000. would be released to you by any  of our payment offices in Europe(UK).  
To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent:
Mr Lyllod Barnes
Tel: +447040106591
You can also click on the website below for more information
http://www.thelotter.com/Results_.asp?Lottery=21
That way your Winnings Certificate and all other relevant documents/paperwork can be prepared for you. Note that all prize funds must be claimed not later than Two Weeks. After this date all funds will be returned to the LOTTERY TREASURY as unclaimed. In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please endeavor to quote your Reference Number(LSUK/2031/8161/06) and Batch Number (R3/A312-59) in every correspondencewith your agent.Furthermore, should there be any change in your address, do inform your claims agent as soon as possible. 
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. Please be warned.
Good luck from me and members of staff of the IRISH LOTTERY.
Online Co-ordinator for IRISH LOTTERY SWEEPSTAKE PROGRAMME 2006.
 
 You are required to fill your claims verification form
 
FULL NAMES:..........................................................................
 
CONTACT ADDRESS:............................................................
 
CITY:..........................................................................................
 
STATE:.......................................................................................
 
COUNTRY:................................................................................
 
ZIPCODE:..................................................................................
 
NATIONALITY:........................................................................
 
SEX:...................................... AGE:............................................
 
MARITAL STATUS..................................................................
 
TEL NO:.....................................................................................
 
EMAIL ADDRESS:...................................................................
 
NEXT OF KIN:...........................................................................
 
OCCUPATION:........................................................................
 
POSITION HELD.....................................................................
 
ANNUAL INCOME:..................................................................

AMOUNT WON:.......................................................................
 
MODE OF PRIZE COLLECTION:(A) CHEQUE, (B) DRAFT,
(C) WIRE TRANSFER
 
REFERENCE NO:................... BATCH NO:............................
 
WINNING NO:....................... TICKET NO:.............................
 
SERIAL NO:....................... LOTTERY DATE:........................
 
Regards,
Yours faithfully,
SIR COOKER JOHNSON.
 
You must be 16 or over to play or claim a prize

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