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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: DEPARTMENT INFOR <department@departmentr4.orangehome.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 15:29:06 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: URGENT NOTICE (PROMOTION DEPARTMENT)


URGENT NOTICE (PROMOTION DEPARTMENT)
ACN INTERNATIONAL PRIZE DRAW WON
Batch Number: acn223/98/32
Ref. Number: 561/003/51142
Email Address:acngroupn@netscape.net
Sir/Madam
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the ACN Lottery International programs held on the 14th October 2006. Your e-mail address attached to ticket 51167550044 with serial number 8831-671 drew lucky numbers 40-50-90-18-41-68 which consequently won in the 2ND category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$ 2,000,000.00(Two Million United States Dollars)
Congratulations!!!
Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning
information confidential 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 20,000 company and 30,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world we hope with part of your winning you will take part in our next year
USD50 million international lotto. To fill for your claim, please contact our fiducially approve agent,Mr.HANS DOUGLAS
Tel:+31-620-282-459
Contact Email Address:acngroupn@netscape.net
Mr.HANS DOUGLAS (OPERATIONAL DIRECTOR)
Remember all winning must be claimed not later than 30 of October 2006. 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 18 is automatically disqualified.
Sincerely yours,
Mr Jose Owen. Lottery Coordinator.
Email Address:acngroupn@netscape.net

Anti-fraud resources: