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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: Sean Thompson <info_seanthompson4@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 29 May 2007 14:18:08 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CONTACT OUR ASSIGNED COURIER SERVICE FOR FAST DELIVERY


POWERBALL LOTTO. BV
POWERBALL-WHEEL E-GAME 2007
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION PROGRAM
REF: PBL/CN/6654/CP

ATTN: Winner,

PENDING CLAIMS PROCESS COMPLETED.
In regards to your pending claim processing, your prize-winning certificate had been endorsed by The Netherlands Gaming Board. We have forwarded for courier delivery the following items,

1) Award Prize (Original Copy)
2) Official Letter of Winning Notification
3) A Cashier Cheque of cash value US $ 1,000,000 (Issued for claims by only your Name)

The Powerball Inter Lotto BV has officially approved the "TNT COURIER SERVICE LIMITED" an international courier company to carryout direct delivery of your winnings to your address. The courier contact are issued below:

TNT courier service ltd
TEL: +447045720537
Correspondence: Michael Smith (Customer Service)
E-mail: tnt_services1@yahoo.de

You are hereby advised to make direct contact with the above courier company, for further processes and to facilitate the immediate delivery approval of your consolation cash prize.

PLEASE NOTE: NON-RESIDENT OF THE NETHERLANDS ARE TO BORNE EXPENSES FOR THEIR COURIER DELIVERY.

In furtherance,please update this office with your current status for subsequent development in regards to this pending claim exercise and NOTE:You must fill and submit this Non Resident Claims Form to the courier company when you contact them.

This correspondence officially confirms that we are in receipt of instructions relating to the payment of your lottery winnings. Provided in attachment is a Non resident claims form you are required to completely fill the claims form with your correct information and submit same. We look forward to receive receipt of your information.

FULLNAMES:........................................................................
FORWARDING ADDRESSES:.............................................................
CITY/STATE:..........................COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:.................
MARITAL STATUS:.......................NATIONALITY:...............................
SEX..........INTENATIONAL PASSPORT NR:..........................DATE OF BIRTH:................
EMAIL:.............................OCCUPATION:................................
TEL/FAX:.....................................
===================================================================================
WINNING INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COUPON NR:....................................
LOTTERY REF NR:...............................
LOTTERY DATE:.................................
CLAIMANT SIGNATURE:........................................

Congratulations once again on your winning,

Yours Faithfully,
Mr.Sean Thompson,
(DPU Information Officer)



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