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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: <infoserv011@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:53:59 +0100
Subject: REFERENCENUMBER:BMW:2551256003/23 CONGRATULATIONS!!

THE INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS
PROMOTION DEPARTMENT OF
THE BMWAUTOMOBILE COMPANY.
22 Garden Close, Stamford,
Lincs, PE9 2YP,London
United Kingdom.
Website:http://www.carsite.co.uk/buyer/DisplayCarDetails.do?vrm=VK55XHC

The Board of Directors, membersof staff and the International
Awareness Promotion Department of the BMW Automobile Company, wishes to
congratulate you on your success as one of our TEN(10) STAR PRIZE
WINNER in this years' BMW Automobile International Awareness Promotion
(IAP) held on Monday 16th of July, 2007,in London.
This makes you the proud owner of a brand new 2007 BMW 5 Series Diesel
Saloon 525d M Sport 4dr Auto and a cash prize of £1000000.00
GBP (One million Great British pounds).

NOTE: You are to keep your winnings and the following below strictly
confidential so as to avoid double claims and complications:

Reference Number:BMW:2551256003/23
Ticket number: 5647600545188
Serial number:BMWP/556543450906

For you to collect your prizes, kindly fill the verification form
below and send it to the BMW Claims Manager, Mr.Mike Spencer of our
claims office through email, stating your receipt of this notification.
He has been mandated to offer you assistance and facilitate the urgent
delivery of your prizes.

VERIFICATION FORM:
1.) FULLNAME:
2.) AGE:
3.) SEX:
4.) ADDRESS:
5.) ZIP/POSTAL CODE:
6.) STATE/PROVINCE:
7.) COUNTRY:
8.) PHONE:
9.)OCCUPATION/POSITION:
10.) COMPANY:
11.) EMAIL ADDRESS:
12.)TICKET NUMBER:
13.) SERIAL NUMBER:
14.) REFERENCENUMBER:BMW:2551256003/23

Congratulations once more, and keep trusting BMW Automobile for top
quality automobiles.

MR. MIKE SPENCER
BMW CLAIMS MANAGER,
BMW CLAIMS HEAD OFFICE,
THE BMW AUTOMOBILECOMPANY,
UNITED KINGDOM.
TEL:+44-704-5724-903
EMAIL:bmw_claim_dept@yahoo.co.uk


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