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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: "Helen Robinson" <helen.robinson1@rediffmail.com>
Date: 29 Nov 2006 02:00:48 -0000
Subject: CONTACT MR. PAUL SIMONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


EMAIL WINNING CONFIRMATION NOTICE:
Dear Lucky Winner,
We are glad to inform you that your E-mail address appears as the confirmed Winner of our last [United Kingdom ] email lottery program held on the 10th of Oct 2006.
Your e-mail address attached to Reference number 216-365-787 lucky numbers 32-15-54-35-47, which Consequently won in the 2nd category, you have therefore been approved For a lumpsum payment of 500.000.Pounds[five hundred thousand pounds only] CONGRATULATIONS!!!This promotional program takes place every year. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system rawn from over 200,000 companies and 50,000, 000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world.
In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your reference number and lucky numbers in all correspondence. We ask that you should keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money remitted to you. To file for your claim or for further details please contact our agent:CONTACT&nbsp; NAME: PAUL SIMONSLONDON, ENGLANDEMAIL:paulsimons.claimagent@yahoo.co.ukTEL:011-447024094058In respect of our commitment towards helping the less previledge, we ask that you voluntarily contribute 1% of your lottery winnings to any charity organization you desire at your convinience.
NOTE; that all winning must be claimed not later than 20th of Dec 2006.&nbsp; Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.
Yours Sincerely,Mrs. Helen RobinsonThis email and its attachments are confidential and may contain legally privileged information. You should not disclose the contents to any other person. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email from your system.
DESK OF&nbsp; [UNITED KINGDOM] E-MAIL LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.

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