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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: "Linda Charlton" <linda-resultsgrids@sympatico.ca>
Reply-To: claims_lotteryagent@consultant.com
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2006 10:33:41 +0000
Subject: AWARDS WINNING NOTIFICATION

EUROPEAN PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
P.O BOX 1190
WATFORD  LNL SU9
LONDON, ENGLAND.
Ref: UK/9420X2/68
Batch: 074/05/ZY369
 
                              WINNING NOTIFICATION/PROCESSING ADVICE:
 
We happily announce to you the draw (#1019) of the NATIONAL LOTTERY, online Sweepstakes International program held on saturday 18th march, 2006. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 56475600545 188 with Serial number 5368/02 drew the lucky numbers:
Ball number 4 Ball number 6 Ball number 31 Ball number 42 Ball number 46 Ball number 47 Bonus Ball number 11
which subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category i.e. Match 6. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of £870,000  (Eight hundred and seventy thousand pounds sterlings) in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/03. This is from a total cash prize of £1,740,000  shared amongst the two (2) lucky winners in this category i.e. Match 6. All participants for the online version were selected randomly from World Wide Web sites through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 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.
 
In view of this, you have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of £870,000 (Eight hundred and seventy thousand pounds sterlings) which would be released to you by any of our payment offices in Europe. Our European agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him. 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, be warned.
 
 You are adviced to quote your ticket and lucky numbers to our fiduciary agent in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications. Furthermore, should there be any change in your address, do inform our fiduciary agent as soon as possible. 
 
For the immediate release of your winning prize, you are to fill the verification form below and send to our FIDUCIARY AGENT.
 
Name: George Harrington
               
 
FULL NAMES OF BENEFICIARY:........................
 
CONTACT ADDRESS:..................................
 
CITY/STATE:.......................................
 
COUNTRY:..........................................
 
NATIONALITY:......................................
 
OCCUPATION:......................................
 
SEX:.......................AGE:...................
 
MARITAL STATUS...................................
 
TEL NO:...........................................
 
NEXT OF KIN:......................................
 
AMOUNT WON:.......................................
 
REFERENCE NO:................BATCH NO:..............
 
LUCKY NO:..................TICKET NO..............
 
SERIAL NO:.................LOTTERY DATE:..........
 
Remember that this program is organised to enhance  unity and  also encourage all web users all over the world. Congratulations once again from all members of our staff, and thank you for being part of our promotions program.
 
Yours faithfully,
Mrs Linda Charlton
Coordinator for EUROPEAN AWARD LOTTERY Sweepstakes International Program.
 
CONFIDENTIAL NOTICE: This email message, including any attachments, is intended only for the use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and prohibited from unauthorized disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.
 
WARNING!!!
 
ANY MAIL RECIEVED OF THIS SUCH WITH ANY OTHER TRADE MARK OR ADDRESS  SHOULD BE  FORWARDED TO THIS BOX IMMEDIATELY, THIS WILL HELP US TO FIGHT SCAM AND LOTTERY IMPOSTERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED CO-OPERATION.
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