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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: MARY JONES <mary@jonesmary5.orangehome.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 04:02:55 +0100 (CET)
Subject: GOODDAY


Uk prime lottery.
Ipod Worldwide Business Information Technology
9 Leapal Road, Guildford,
Surrey, GU1 4JX, London, UK
Dear Sir/Madam,
This is to inform you that have been selected for a cash prize of £850,000(Eight hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling) This is in line with our promotional lottery for our products.We specialize in the sales of cd-roms that enhance your business growth.
The selection process was carried out through random selection in our computerized email selection system(ess) from a database of over 250,000 email addresses drawn from all the continents of the world.
This Lottery is approved by the British Gaming Board and also Licensed by the The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR). This promotional lottery is the first of its kind and we intend to sensitize the public.
To begin the processing of your prize you are to contact your claims officer through our accredite d Prize Transfer agents as stated below:
MR MAX RAPH,
9 Leapal Road, Guildford,
Surrey, GU1 4JX
United Kingdom
Email: ukprimeconsultant247@yahoo.co.uk
Tel:+44-783-122-8576
contact him, please provide him with your secret Batch Number:
VC/32/ID1141 and your Ref Number: UK/910/1645.You are also advised to provide him with the under listed information as soon as possible:
Claim requirements:
1.Name in full
2.Address
3.Nationality
4.Age
5.Occupation
6.Phone/Fax
7.Present Country
If you do not contact your claims agent within 7 working days of this notification,your winnings would be revoked. Winners are advised to keep their winning details/information from the public to avoid fraudulent claim (IMPORTANT)pending the transfer/claim by Winner.
Accept my hearty congratulations once again!
Regards,
Mrs Mary Jones
Lottery Manager

Anti-fraud resources: