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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: "East-West Australia Lottery," <eastwestlottoppnhrj@gdsky.com.cn>
Date: Sat, 24 Feb 2007 18:11:23 +0300
Subject: YOUR EMAIL ID HAVE WON PRIZE

East-West Australia Lottery,
9701 Alexander Mall, Adelaide,
East-West Australia.
(East-West Australia Lottery is an affiliate of MCI Networks).
Santon Square, Complex 21, Netherlands.

From: Ms. VERA KALIHOFF.
e-mail :
(Lottery Coordinator)

Sir/Madam,

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the East-West Australia Lottery (international program) held on the 19th Febuary. 2007. Your e-mail address attached to ticket #: 38090325436 with prize # 73548040/12 drew €1,000,000.00 which was first in the 1st Category of the draws. You have been approved to receive €1,000,000.00 (One Million Euros).Because of claims mix-up and the limited time claims pay-outs, we will advice that you keep your winning information confidential until your prize (€1,000,000.00) has been remitted to you by our accredited paying bank. You must adhere to this instructions strictly to avoid loss of your cash prize – this program has been abused severally, so we are doing all we can to forestall further abuse by way of wrong claims. It's important to note that this draws were conducted formally under the watchful eyes of over 45,000 audiences. Winners are selected through an internet ballot system from 160,000 personal and corporate e-mail addresses. The program sponsored/supported by MCI Networks in conjunction with South-West Australia lottery. Congratulate you once again. We hope you will use part cash prize to participate in our next mega draws of €85million. Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 10-days after you receive this notification. Failure to claim your cash prize after this date will result in prize forfeiture. Please, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications remember to quote personal and winning numbers in correspondence with paying bank.
Please contact the paying bank with your information for the immediate remittance of your funds.
Kindly send them the following:
(i). your names,
(ii) Contact telephone and fax numbers
(iii) Contact Address
(iv) Your winning numbers
(v) Quote amount won.

Contact the paying bank with the following:
Bank’s Name:laagstehypotheekofferte Bank.nl
Contact person: Mr Jim Benson
Laagste Bank, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
E-mail:laagstebnk05@aim.com
Tel: (+31-626-413-226
Fax: (+31847-235-420.

Congratulations once again.
Yours in service,
Ms. VERA KALIHOFF
Lottery Coordinator.

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