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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: "Sweepsstake Remittance Department" <paymentcenter@sweepsinternational-awardorganization.org>
Date: Mon, 08 May 2006 07:59:01 +0000
Subject: PAYMENT UPDATE

The National Lottery Logo

Sweep stake Lottery
Affiliate of International Lottery organization.
Registered office address:
P.M Services. 145-157 St John Street. London EC1 V4Y
Tel: +44 7040119954
Fax: +44 7092865443
 
Attention: Alfleda Freeman
 

We received your mail.

 

This is to notify you that all participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web site through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 individuals and companies and your email address attached to the ticket number: 64479543465 BT44 really won you the lottery prize of $3.5Million Dollars in the 3rd category.

 

You are further advised to inform us the method of payment you want as payment can be made by telex transfer into your choice account or by certified cashier’s cheque to your designated address.

 

Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.

 
 
Waiting for your reply
Mr. Brian Hill
Chief Accounts Adviser
 
                                
                                    SWEEPSSTAKE LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL PRIZE CASH
                                           
 
Copyright © 1994-2005 The British National Sweep Stake Lottery Inc.
All rights reserved. Terms of Service - Guidel
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Anti-fraud resources: