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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: <info_department08@walla.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 02:46:11 +1000
Subject: WINNER

Lotto.nl
Koningen Julianaplein 21, 2391 BD
Denhaag, The Netherlands
(Lotto affiliate with Subscriber Agents).
From: Mrs A Van Zand (Lottery Co-ordinator)
Website: www.lotto.nl

ATTN:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lotto.nl Winners
International programs held on the 20th November, 2006. Your e-mail address
attached to ticket #: 3545655522 with prize #: 72365549 NL drew
€1,000,000.00 which was first in the first class of the draws. You are to
receive €1,000,000.00 (One Million Euros). Because of mix up in cash
pay-outs, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until
your money (€1,000,000.00) has been fully remitted to you by our accredited
pay-point bank. This measure must be adhere to,in order to avoid loss of
your cash prize - winners of our cash prizes are advised to adhere to these
instructions to forestall the abuse of this program by other participants.
It is important to note that this draws were conducted formally, and winners
are selected through an internet ballot system from 50,000 individual and
companies e-mail addresses, the draws are conducted around the world through
our internet based ballot system. The promotion is sponsored and promoted
Lotto.nl . We congratulate you once again. We hope you will use part of it
in our next draws; the jackpot winning is €85million. Remember,all winnings
must be claimed not later than 20days from today.After this date all
unclaimed cash prize will be forfeited and included in the next sweepstake.
Please, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications remember to
quote personal and winning numbers in all correspondence with us.
Congratulations once again from all members of Postcode Loterij-NL.Thank you
for being part of our promotional program.

For immediate release of your cash prize to you, please kindly contact our
Paying Bank
address written below.

Send them the following informations:

(i) Your name,
(ii) Contact telephone and fax numbers
(iii) Contact Address
(iv) Your winning numbers
(v) Quote amount won.
(vi) Notification date.

Contact person: Sherman Brinks
E-mail: leedcapbnk@netscape.net
Tel: +31 649 953 670
Calling hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 6:00pm

Congratulations once again.
Yours in service,
Mrs A Van Zand (Lottery Co-ordinator)


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