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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: SPANISH EURO MILLION LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL <euromillion2007@aim.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2007 20:31:52 +0100
Subject: CONGRATULATION!!!( YOUR EMAIL HAS WON THE SPANISH EURO MILLION 2007 AWARD PROGRAM)


SPANISH EURO MILLION LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
CALLE MOSTOLES 23C PISO 6G 28923 MADRIDESPANA.
FROM:THE DESK OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD
REFERENCE:67/55/IBL
BATCH: EGGS-541-444-081
DATE:28TH,MARCH,2007.
ATTENTION EMAIL BENEFICIARY,
!!!YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WON THE SPANISH EURO MILLION LOTTERY AWARD OF 5.500,000.00Euros( FIVE MILLION FIVEHUNDRED THOUSAND EUROS ONLY) CASH!!!
We wish to congratulate you over your email success in our computer balloting sweepstake held on 18th of Jan ,2007 and the result was relase in 28th March, 2007 in Spain.
This is a millennium scientific computer game in which email addresses were used.
It is a promotional program aimed at encouraging internet users; therefore you do not need to buy ticket to enter for it.
This lottery program on computer is to help encourage the rapid use of microsoft wares and to enlighten and promote the wide spread usage of the internet within the global world,under the able sponsorship of microsoft ware wizard Bill Gates,Sultan ofBrunei,together with the USA,AUSTRALIA& a few members of the EUROPEAN ECONOMIC STATES,
This is our secondand last reminder to you with every believe that you received the last notification sent to you via the same email address last month as the management will not continue to sendyou another notice/reminder over your winning if you do not respond immediately to your claims.
Again note that all email address/names registered with different and various websites/pages in the internet were selected through a computerized ballot machine system from the internet, randomly drawn from over 100, 000.00 COMPANIES and 50,000,000.00 (INDIVIDUALSPRIVATE /PERSONAL) Email Addresses and names from all over the world, where your own EMAIL ADDRESS happens to have been luckily selected under the second category(B) to have attracted this winnings.
Your email address attached to ticket star number:712-430-11-18 with serial number IV 241872 drew the EUROMILLION lucky numbers701-9211-511which consequently won the draw in the Second category. You have been approve for the star prize of5.500,000.00 Euros( FIVE MILLION FIVEHUNDRED THOUSAND EUROS ONLY)already insured in your favour.
This promotional program takes place once in every year in conjunction withinternational governmental policies under very strict regulatory laws within the world lottery association in the bid to strive towards a world without poverty in which every person can exercise his or her right to a life of dignity and to equally establish themselves and help create room for useful and gainful employment through the fund/prize you are been awarded.
CONGRATULATIONS !!!
You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you receive your lump prize in your account or optional cheque issuance to you.
This is a protective measure to avoid double claiming by people you may tell as we have had cases like this before, please send your Full Name, Home and OfficeTel & Fax Number, Mobile Tel Number and your winning ticket number,reference numbers and amount woninformation for processing of your winning fund to our registered claim agent in address below:
DR.RICHARD EDWARD
MAPFRE SECURITY COMPANY
CALLE DE FUENLABRADA 33,PISO NO6,28935.
MADRID SPAIN
www.mapfre.es
TEL:0034-676/545/938 .
Email: mapfrecompany@aim.com /mapfreclaimoffice@myway.com
Remember, all winning must be claimed before and not later than two week from the day this notification was received.
After this date all unclaimed funds stands the risk of being retrieved back into the treasury and perhaps included in the next stake.
Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delay and complications always remember to quote your REFERENCE & BATCH NUMBERS in all correspondence to your nominated and acredited trustees claims agent and ensure to comply with every detailed directives.
Furthermore, should there be any change of address doinform our agent as soon as possible.
Congratulations once more from our members of staff for havingbeen a lucky winner in our international promotions program.
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
Sincerely yours,
MAG ALICE WILLIAMS(Mrs).
RegionalPresident/Lottery Coordinator.
CONFIDENTIALITY: This e-mail message is confidential and is intended only for the address of the email address holder who is to immediately report directly and only to the claims agent. Any unauthorized use or disclosure is strictly prohibited.
Disclosure of this e-mail to anyone other than the intended addressee does not constitute waiver of privilege.
If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately and delete this.
Thank you for your cooperation

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