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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: International Swiss Lotto <info@swisslotto.ch>
Reply-To: winsec@representative.com
Date: Wed, 09 May 2007 10:32:43 +0200
Subject: SwissWinner 2007


SWISS LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL WINNERS PROMO
Giacomettistrasse 1
CH-3000 Bern, Switzerland
www.swisslotto.ch
Date:09/05/07

Attn:Benefactor,

Ref. Number...... .CH/491OXI/07
Batch Number...... 12/25/0304
Ticket Number..... 564 75600545-188
Serial Number......5388/02

Congratulations!!! you are a winner of €1,950,000.20 on the Swiss Promo
online draws which was played on the 30Th of April, 2007
For further Information about your Winnings contact:

Claims Agent Office
Madrid-Spain

Winsec Security Agency
Fax:+ 34 911 311 826
Email:winsec@representative.com
Mr. Antonio Miguel

Remember, all winnings must be claim not later than 28th of May 2007

Yours sincerely,

Mr. David Graham Owen
(Lottery Coordinator) SWISS LOTTO

Anti-fraud resources: