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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "LARRY" <larryw_009@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 26 May 2006 12:29:13 +0100
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR WINNINIG


REF NO: MSW/56B-672GH/L
BATCH: 4583JL/WIN
TICKET NO:RT/3451-6004YGF
MICROSOFT MEGA JACKPOT LOTTERY PROMOTIONS,EMAIL AWARD PROMO: UNITED KINGDOM
Finally today, we announce the winners of the MICROSOFT MEGA JACKPOT LOTTO WINNINGS PROGRAMS held on 17th, May 2006. Your company or your personal e-mail address, attached to winning number 23-76-06-54-42-100, With serial number 647489, consequently won in the Tenth lottery category.
You are therefore been approved for lump sums pay out of GBP1,500,000.00 POUNDS in cash Credited to file REF NO: MSW/56B-672GH/L and winning number 23-76-06-54-42-100, this is from total prize money of GBP 37,500,000.00 POUNDS, shared among the Twenty five (25)international winners in this category.
All participants were selected through our Microsoft computer ballot system drawn form 42,000 Names, 6,000 names from each continent, as part of International "E-MAIL" Promotions Program, for our prominent MS WORD user all over the world, and for the Continues use of E-mail. Your fund (certified Cashiers cheque) has been insured with your REF NO: MSW/56B-672GH/L and winning number 23-76-06-54-42-100. To claim your winning prize, you must first contact the claims department by email for Processing and remittance of your prize money to you.
The claims processor is:
Name :Mr.LARRY CALVIN WALL
larryw_009@yahoo.co.uk <mailto:larryw_009@yahoo.co.uk>
Phone:+44 7031841202
Do email the above email addresses, all at once. In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference and winning numbers in all correspondences with your claims officer.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU ARE TO SEND THE BELOW INFORMATIONS REQUIRED TO CLAIM YOUR WINNING PRIZE:
1.full Name:..............................................................
2.Address:................................................................ 3.Nationality:............................................................
4.Age:.........................Date of Birth:.............................
5.Occupation:.......................I.d card no.............................
6.Phone:...............Phone 2:...................Fax:....................
7.State of Origin:......................Country:..........................
Sincerely,
Secretary
Mrs. Maurrine Diane H.


Mrs. Mariam D. Hassan. Mrs. Maurrine Diane H.
Co-ordinator Secretary
LOTTERY SPONSOR
MICROSOFT CORPORATION U.K.
Past winners.


NOTE: Do not delay to reply this mail. You are to contact your claims officer immediately by email: larryw_009@yahoo.co.uk Or call on MR. LARRY PHONE +44 7031841202 to confirm your winnings.


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