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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: jo@joharry.orangehome.co.uk
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2007 16:30:16 +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 3rd of January 2007 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

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