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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: mikepeace101@yahoo.com <mikepeace101@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 06:39:50 +0200
Subject: YOU WIN THE LOTTO

MICROSOFT LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
FROM: THE DESK OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS / PRIZE AWARD.
WINNING NOTIFICATION

REF Nº: MIC/26005006/SP/05
BATCH Nº:20044818-06

ATTN WINNER, please reply to mikepeace101@yahoo.com


We wish to congratulate you over your success in our MICROSOFT EMAIL LOTTERY
INTERNATIONAL/WORLD GAMING BOARD computer balloting Sweep stake held on the 26Th June
2006. This is a Millennium scientific computer
games lottery in which email addresses were used. It is a promotional program aimed at encouraging
Internet users; therefore you do not need to buy ticket to enter for this draws.


To begin your claim please contact your claim agent Mr.Benjamin Alfonso For processing and remittance
of your prize fund into your designated bank account.
COMPANY NAME: Mapfre Seguros S. A.
Contact person: Mr.Benjamin Alfonso.
Email: mikepeace101@yahoo.com

Yours Sincerely,
Benita Lopez Arroyo.
Vice President,
MICROSOFT LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL

please reply to mikepeace101@yahoo.com


Anti-fraud resources: