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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: "lottery winner" <united_kingdom_za81@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 10:11:31 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS: YOU HAVE WON!!!!!!!!!

                            THE BRITISH LOTTERY 2006   
                                                        
BRITISH LOTTERY HEADQUARTERS,
CUSTOMERS SERVICES,
33
YATCH BASIN MARINA
OFFICE,
UPON
TYNE NEW CASTLE LONDON
.
Batch: 14/211/0374: Ref: BTL/311OXI/02.
                                          
                   CONGRATULATIONS: YOU HAVE WON!!!!
 
We happily announce to you the draw of the British lottery program held in London, Your e-mail address attached, to ticket number: 694/7560/0545/721 with Serial number: 886/04 drew the lucky numbers: 016/213/3517, which subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category, you are therefore, been approved to claim a total sum of £1,000.000.00 (One Million Pounds Only) in cash credited to file RPC/9080/1153/2244 This is from a total cash prize of  £125 million pounds starlings.
 
This year Lottery Program Jackpot is the largest ever for British Lottery; the estimated 125 million jackpots would be the sixth biggest in U.K. history, The biggest was the 363 million pounds starlings’ jackpot that went to two winners in December 2005 drawing of The Big Game, Mega Millions' predecessor. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our African booklet representative office in South Africa as indicated in our play coupon, In view of this, your £1,000.000.00 (One Million Pounds Only) would be released to you by our affiliate bank in South Africa.
 
Our 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 claim your fund, is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you demand fit to claim your prize.
 
This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program. Please be warned.
 
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CLAIM AGENT IMMEDIATELY THROUGH EMAIL OR YOU CALL HIM.
 
Mr.  James Smith      
Phone Number:  +27761345280
Contact Email:   james_smith_a6@yahoo.com
  
Endeavor to email him with your full names, winning numbers, email address, telephone and fax numbers immediately.
 
Congratulations; from me and members of staff of THE UK NATIONAL LOTTERY.
 
Yours faithfully lotto manager.


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