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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: Mrs Comfort Jose <lottointersp@netscape.net>
Reply-To: lottointer2006@netscape.net
Date: Wed, 17 May 2006 15:28:49 +0200
Subject: NATIONAL MEGA LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL.


NATIONAL MEGA LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL.
27/29 LUIS SEGOVIA 28089 MADRID-SPAIN
FROM: INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
RE: WINNING NOTIFICATION / FINAL NOTICE.
REFERENCE: 70/50/KPD.
BATCH: NMGS-549-629-788.
DATE:15/05/2006.
Sir/Madam,
We are pleased to inform you of the result in National Mega Lottery Winners International
E-mail programs held on the Febuary 20, 2006 . Your E-mail address attached to ticket number 653-908-321-675 with serial main number 345-790-241-671 drew lucky star numbers 34-32-90-43-32 which consequently won in the 2nd category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of 850.000.00 Euros.(Eight Hundred & Fifty Thousand Euros) CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information private and personal 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 100,000 company and 50,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world.
This lottery was promoted and sponsored by the biggest International computer companies and the world's largest software company inorder to enhance and promote the use of Internet, Explorer Users and other soft-wares around the globe.
This promotional program takes place every three year. We hope with part of your winning you will take part in our end of year 50 million Euro International lottery. Meanwhile,to clarify your doubts on how come you were selected and frequently asked questions that you may likely ask(HOW DID I ENTER THIS CONTEST? OR HOW DID I WIN?).
Please note that all email address/names registered with different and various websites/pages in the internet were selected through a computerized ballot machine system from the internet,randomly drawn from over 100,000.00 COMPANIES and50,000,000.00
(INDIVIDUALS PRIVATE/PERSONAL)
To file for your claim, please contact our fiducial agent, KEVIN P. JOHN
TEL :+34-697-434-571.
FAX: +34-697-434--57
Email:lottointer2006@netscape.net
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than two weeks, 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 15 is automatically disqualified.
Sincerely yours,
MRS,COMFORT JOSE,
Lottery Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources: