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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: Lucia Herbert Lottery <acculotto004@netscape.net>
Date: Thu, 02 Mar 2006 03:24:14 +0100
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION


ACCULOTTO E-MAIL LOTTERY
FROM:THE DESK OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
INTERNATIONAL/PRIZE AWARD DEPT
REF:PL2/209318/09
BATCH:18/103/HME.
Attn:Dear Sir/Madam
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the International Lottery program held on the 1ST of January 2006. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 37511465899-6410 with serial number 4872-510 drewlucky numbers 7-14-88-23-3545 which consequently won in the 1st category,you have therefore $2,500,000.00 {Two million five hundred dollars)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.How did i win this e-mail lottery? Good question!!! All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 20,000 company and 30,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every three year. This lottery was promoted and sponsored by Bill Gates, President of the World Largest
software,We hope with part of your winning you will take part in our next USD 50 million international lottery. To file for your claims, please contact our fiducial agent on phone.
==================================
DR.DAVE HANCOCK
FINANCE TRUST AGENCY
TEL: 0031-620779785.
FAX: 0031-847455963.
E-Mail:financetrustagency@mynet.com
==================================
Remember, all winning must be claimed
not later than 31th March 2006. After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications also 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. To enable you file your winning prize, you are advised to fully comply with our co-respondent agency office. 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.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. Lucia Herbert Lottery
Coordinator,
California,
U.S.A.


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