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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: "MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL" <mercygray_16@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 09:33:54 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATION AWARD WINNER 2007

MasterCard® / Microsoft® INTERNATIONAL MEGA JACKPOT
Main Head Office, Bradford City Centre Branch
18 hustlergate bradford, West Yorkshire

MICROSOFT OFFICE, UNITED KINGDOM
PRESENT DIRECTOR; Mr. Dennes Vandergate
PHONE:   +44 207 060 1031 EXT 009
 
REGISTRATION NO: 9027640
INSURANCE NO: MSTC006
TAX CLEARANCE NO: 28456
AMOUNT WON: £6,600,000.00

This is to notify you that, your e-mail address has brought you an unexpected luck, please read through this message. Your e-mail address was selected and confirmed by our co-sponsor Microsoft International, through their latest internet software. You are therefore been approved by MasterCard Int. /Microsoft UK the sum of £6,600,000.00 (SIX MILLION, SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS). Equivalent to $11,064,000 USD. (Eleven Million, sixty four thousand US Dollars). In cash, Credited to a valid cashier's check, With winning Reg. No. MCIMJ: 5148/4178. Be informed that your prize has been insured and ready for pay out. All the 08 winners were selected through the Microsoft computer ballot system (MCBS) drawn from each continent and from each ISP, by the most powerful Microsoft Software Incorporation, as part of our International "E-MAIL"  Promotions Program, to promote the use of MasterCard’s and the use of Microsoft Offices all over the World. Further more, to promote the use of E-mails and cards for online payments. Send the claims requirements to your claims administrator for further instructions see e-mail address below.

Claims Requirements:
1. Full Name:.....................................
2. Address:.......................................
3. Nationality:...................................
4. Age:..........  Date of Birth:.................
5. Occupation:....................................
6. Phone:................Fax:.....................
7. State of Origin:...........Country:............
8. Delivery Options:
   (a) BANK.   (b) COURIER.

Claims Administrator

Name:Mr. Jerry Micheal.

E-mail:jerry_mic_claimsdpt@yahoo.co.uk

PROCEEDURES / RIGHTS AND PRECAUTIONS.
 
Contact the Claims Administrator with all your claims requirements well filled. Your claims Administrator will give you all the guide lines on how to process your claims. If you need an Attorney then, then tell your Claims Administrator. Your claims administrator, has the due right to disqualify you for misconduct.Any mail received of such should be reported to the claims Administrator above. This will help fight scam. You will need a Legal Adviser (An Attorney) to help you sign all the necessary documents.

Secretary
Mr. Macwell Hunt @
MasterCard® / Microsoft® Mega Jackpot.



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