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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: botch@botch.orangehome.co.uk
Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2006 14:15:33 +0100 (CET)
Subject: WINNING CLAIM NOTIFICATION


WINNING CLAIM NOTIFICATION

MICROSOFT INTERNET PROMOTION LOTTERY.
66B HEMENSTRAAT NOORDHILL, 1085KJ ZUIDWEST
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS.

FROM: THE DESK OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR.
MICROSOFT INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION PRIZE AWARD
Batch No: TOE/4524578454/UE
Ref No: TOE/REF57845245222
TEL: +31-610-698-903.
FAX: +31-847-301-128.
ATTN: CEO

Dear Winner,
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Internet compensation promotion programs held on the 22nd of December, 2006 and it’s aimed at compensating frequent internet explorers in all over the world. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number; TOE45121111454215 with serial numbers TOE4245454145HG555, batch number TOE/4524578454/UE, lottery reference number TOE/REF57845245222 and drew from lucky numbers 65-85-74-98-45-50-63 which consequently won in the 2nd category. you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$1,000,000.00 (ONE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) only by the MICROSOFT INTERNATIONAL COMPANY, payable in cash credited to security file numbers (S.C.F.N) NO: 5874545658WUMT at the authorized Payment Bank.

CONGRATULATIONS!
Due to the mix up of some numbers and email addresses, we ask that you keep your winning information’s confidential until your claim has been processed and your money remitted to you in cash or into your provided bank account as the authorized legal beneficiary. This is part of our security protocols to avoid unwarranted abuse of this Program by some participants. This compensational program was promoted and Sponsored by MICROSOFT EXPLORATION INTERNATIONAL COMPANY in all over the world and they are the worldwide leader in software services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. This company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software any time, any place and on any devices. MICROSOFT COMPANY is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. We have help people and Businesses by providing affordable, reliable and convenient payment services and software in the world today and we have invested US$2.5b into software, hardware and a simple to use interface. It is a great opportunity to anyone looking to increase sales through email marketing! So you can realize your dream of financial independence.

Note that all winners were selected through a computer ballot-system drawn from over 900,000 companies and 30,000,000 personal email addresses from all over the world online of which three (3) where selected at random as winners in different category. This promotion program takes place every four years connected to the World Olympic sports organization. This compensational program was promoted and sponsored by William Henry Gates III and His Giant cofounder of the Microsoft Corporation, holds 30.7 percent of its stock making him one of the richest people in the United States and the world in general. He was the marketing and sales strategist behind many of Microsoft's software deals. Their software became the industrialized standard in the early 1980s and has just increased in distribution as the company has grown largest software producer in the world (Microsoft) and Mr. Paul Gardner Allen (Shareholder in Microsoft). We hope that you will have the chance of receiving compensation in the next promotion as you keep on browsing the net to boost the sales of software materials in all over the world. To make your claim, please contact our Clearance Office:

Mrs. Lucy Hook,
For Dr. Edward Davidson (Director of operations).
WORLDLINK INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL BV.
(Clearance and administration of mutual funds consultants)
TEL: +31-619-785-239
Fax: +31-847-271-751
Email: worldlinkintern@aim.com
worldlinkintern@myway.com

Remember, all winnings must be claim not later than 22nd of January, 2007. After this date, all unclaimed funds will be transfer to the International Debt Payment Reconciliation Unit in the Literary Fund of the United Nation. The Literary Fund is used solely for educational purposes of under-developed countries, such as school construction, renovation, and teacher retirement funding. Please note that in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to always quote your Ref. numbers and batch numbers in all your correspondence.
Furthermore, should there be any change of your contact address or information’s about you, do inform our clearance office immediately to avoid disqualification of winning.

Congratulation once again from all the members of our staff and thank you for being part of our promotion program and publications.

Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Marie Van Botch (Lottery Coordinator)
MICROSOFT EXPLORATION COMPANY.
66B HEMENSTRAAT NOORDHILL, 1085KJ ZUIDWEST
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS.

Remark: We hope your winning will be used for the betterment of mankind and will change the lives of so many people for good and the use of software and hardware as you keep on browsing the net to boost the sales of software materials in all over the world.

Anti-fraud resources: