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

Fraud email example:

From: "EUROPEAN PRIZE AWARD DEPT" <euro700@firstpobox.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 06:36:53 -0900
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS YOUR EMAIL WON,

FROM: THE DIRECTOR
DE LOTTO NETHERLANDS PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
REF:EL3/498/487
BATCH:9/358/444.
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery
Winners
International programs held on the 5/01/2006. Your e-mail
address attached
to ticket number :EL-241 with serial number:
EL-926,batch
number:EL9/358/444,lottery ref number: EL3/498/487 and drew lucky
numbers
8-5-7-36-4-876 which consequently won in the 1st
category,you have therefore
been approved for a lump sum pay out of
US$1,500,000.00(One Million, Five
Hundred Thousand United States dollars).
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
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 over 40,000 company and 20,000,000 individual email
addresses and names
from all over the world.
This promotional program takes place every year. This
lottery was promoted
and sponsored by a group of successful electronic
dealers.we hope with part
of your winning,you will take part in our next year
US$20million
international lottery.
To file for your claim, please contact our paying officer:
Contact Person
Mr Vanse Lee
TEL +31-645-541-925
FAX +31-84-713-5413
Email:vanse_info@yahoo.com.hk
Remember, all winnings must be claimed not later than 28th
Of February 2006.After this date all unclaimed funds will be included
in the next stake.
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,
DE LOTTO.NL
EUROPEAN PRIZE AWARD DEPT
THE PROMOTION DIRECTOR.
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM (NL)
www.lotto.nl

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