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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: "Fiona Williams" <fiona_willis77@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 12:13:09 -0500
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS

VodafoneVodafone Promotions 
                     103 LEYSDOWN DRIVE, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD HP1 2LD
LONDON.
                                                          UNITED KINGDOM
 
REF: VFP /26510460037/02               
BATCH: 24/00319/IPD
 
 
                                       CONGRATULATIONS
 
We happily announce to you TODAY the draw of the VODAFONE PROMOTIONS, online Sweepstakes International program held on Saturday 10th of  March, 2007. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number:  023-0148-790-459 with Serial number 5073-11 drew the lucky numbers:  43-11-44-17-37-10-43, which subsequently won you the lottery in the 3rd category.
 
You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of US$ 2.5.000,000.00 (Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) in cash credited to file VFP/25041238013/02. This is from a total cash prize of  $42.500,000.00 shared amongst 17 lucky winners in this category
 
All participants for the online version were selected randomly from World Wide Web sites through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 unions, associations, and corporate bodies that are listed online. This promotion takes place weekly.
 
Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe as indicated in your play coupon. In view of this, your US$ 2.5.000,000.00 (Two million, Five hundred Thousand Dollars) would be released to you by any of our payment offices in Europe.
 
Your fund is now deposited with a Security company Insured. Our European agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him. For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize.
 
This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program. Please be warned.
To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent:
 
Mr. Hammad Butt
CLAIMS MANAGER,
VODAFONE PAYMENT DEPARTMENT
 
Remember that all prize money must be claimed not later than two weeks, otherwise, will be returned as unclaimed.
 
Congratulations from the staff and I of the VODAFONE PROMOTIONS.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
 Mrs. Fiona williams
Online coordinator for Vodafone promotions
Sweepstakes International Program. 
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