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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: "William Gerald" <marble_gerald62@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 02:21:21 -0600
Subject: Ref. Number: 639/898/002

CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU HAVE WON £5,500,000.00 ( FIVE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED
THOUSAND POUNDS ONLY).
MARBLE LOTTERY,
Ref. Number: 639/898/002
Batch Number: 430456543-DD23

Sir,

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners
International programs held on 18TH OCTOBER 2006.


Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 278541465006-4872 with serial
Number 1772-554 drew lucky numbers 5-14-18-23-33-39 which consequently won
in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay of
£5,500,000.00 (Five Million Five hundred Thousand Pounds Only)


CONGRATULATIONS!!! Due to some controversial numbers and email addresses, we
ask that you keep your winning information confidential until you file for
your claim. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming
and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.


All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web through a
computer ballot system drawn from over 20,000 companies and 30,000,000
individual e-mail addresses from all over the World. This promotional
program takes place every
year. This lottery was promoted and sponsored by some eminent personalities
who do not wish to declare their identity


for security reasons.To file for your claim, please contact
your Claims Agent:
Mr Brian Hunt
Email: marble_jawadjames@yahoo.co.uk
Phone Number:+447024055199

Remember, all winning must be filed not later than 24TH NOVEMBER 2006.
Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, 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. Remember all winnings must be claimed not later than 24TH
NOVEMBER 2006. After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the
next stake In respect of our commitment towards helping the less previledge,
we ask that you voluntarily contribute 1% of your Marble winnings to any
charity organization you desire at your convinience.

Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being
a Winner in our promotional program.

Sincerely,
Mr William Gerald
Lottery Coordinator.
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 years is automatically disqualified of all
winnings.

_________________________________________________________________
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