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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: "Thanks" <barryfranks@mail2world.com>
Date: Sun, 07 Jan 2007 04:44:35 +0600
Subject: Email Sweepskate Prize.

Euro Millions Lottery.
Hoge Wei 28, 2011 Zaventem,
Belgium.
Euro Millions are Affiliate of Belgium National (BNL).

Sir/Madam,

CONGRATULATIONS: YOU WON 1,000,000.00 EUROS.
We are pleased to inform you of the result of Euro Millions, which was held
on the 20th, December 2006. Your e-mail address attached to e-ticket
number: 05-32-44-45-50 (01-08), with Prize Number (match 3): 106000009 drew
a prize of 1,000,000.00 (One Million Euros). This lucky draw came first in
the 2nd Category of the Sweepstake.

You will receive the sum of 1,000,000.00 (One Million Euros) from our
authorized bank. Because of some mix-up with sweepstake prizes, including
the time limited placed on the payment of your prize: 1,000,000.00 Euros, we
advice that you keep all information about this prize confidential until
your funds: 1,000,000.00 Euros have been transferred to you by our bank. You
must adhere to this instruction, strictly, to avoid any delay with the
release of your funds to your person.

This program has been abused severally in past, so we are doing our best to
forestall further occurrence of false claims. This sweepstake was conducted
under the watchful eyes of 8,000 spectators. Your e-mail address attached to
e-ticket number 05-32-44-45-50 (01-08), was selected and; it came out first
by an e-ballot draw from over 250,000 e-mail addresses (personal and
corporate e-mail addresses). This program is sponsored by CFI to compensate
faithful internet suffers around the globe. Congratulations for becoming one
of the few lucky winners.

With your permission, your e-mail will also be included in the next
sweepstake of 5Million Euros. You must claim y our prize: 1,000,000.00
Euros not later than 7 days from the moment you receive this e-mail. In
order to avoid unnecessary delays with your claim from the bank; please
contact them immediately, and quote your winning and personal information
now, and in all your correspondence with the bank.

Here is the contact information:
Bank: Laagste Heypotheekofferte Bank. N.L.
Attention: Dirk Garvin.
Karspeldreef 6A, 1101 CJ, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
E-mail: laagsthekbank@aim.com
Telephone: +31 616 859 048
Fax : (+3184) 735-9610.

Furnish them with the following:
(i). your name(s),
(ii) Your telephone and fax numbers
(iii) Your contact address
(iv) Your winning information (including amount won).
Congratulations. Yours Faithfully
Vjertis Von Adrian (Ms.) CPA.
Coordinator: Euro Millions.


Anti-fraud resources: