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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: "BRITISHVIRGIN ISLANDLOTTERY" <britishvirgin_islandlottery1@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2005 00:44:31 -0900
Subject: Acknowledge Receipt{Ref: UK/9420X2/68}

 
 BRITISH VIRGIN ISLAND Headquarters:
 P O Box 1010 Liverpool,
 L70 1NL UNITED KINGDOM
(Customer Services)
 Ref: UK/9420X2/68
 Batch: 074/05/ZY369
 
DearSir/madam,
  We happily announce to you the draw of the BRITISH VIRGIN ISLAND  Sweepstake Lottery International programs held on the 25th of OCTOBER, 2005 in the UNITED-KINGDOM. Your e-mail address is attached to the lucky numbers 2, 5, 21, 24, 38, 42, 46: which subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of £750,000 (SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND BRITISH POUNDS STERLING)
 
This is from a total cash prize of £7,500,000 (SEVEN MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS) shared amongst the first TEN (10) lucky winners in this category. All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web site through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 companies. This promotion takes place annually and it is aimed at encouraging all users of our WebPages, our sponsors and the general public worldwide with a view of minimizing the harsh effects of increasing cost of living worldwide. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe as indicated in your play coupon.  In view of this, your prize money of £750,000 (SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND BRITISH POUNDS STERLING) would be released to you by our payment office in Europe.
Our Claims department will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact them. For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you.
This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous participants. Please be warned.
TO file for your Claims, the Following information is required.
1. NAME
2.DATE OF BIRTH.
3. MARITAL STATUS.
4. RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.
5. OCCUPATION.
6. GENDER
7.TELEPHONE NUMBER.
8. NATIONALITY.
9. AN ITEM OF IDENTIFICATION.
You are also required to indicate what means you would prefer your winning remitted to you, either:
1. Your winner cheque couriered to you OR
2. You receive your winning by telegraphic transfer from our associate bank to your bank account.
To commence processing your winning, send an email to the claims department with the above details provided, at: {infoclaimsagent@hotmail.com}
Note that the above data remains your personal information and are accorded confidential status to be used ONLY for the purpose of this draws.
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your reference number in all your correspondences with me or the claims department.
 
Sincerely,
Sir Frank Scott
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLAND CORDINATOR.
BVIL  Information Service
 
The BRITISH VIRGIN ISLAND Sweepstakes Lotto Awards is proudly sponsored by the Microsoft Corporation, the Intel Group, Toshiba, Dell computers, Mackintosh and a conglomeration of other international IT companies. This internet draw is held once in a year and is so organized to encourage the use of the internet and computers worldwide. We are proud to say that over 200 Million Euros are won annually in more than 150 countries worldwide. This edition is international; persons of every nationality who are over 16 years of age are eligible winners.

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