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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: helen mathew <helen_mathew115@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:05:14 +0200
Subject: Award Notification!!!



United Kingdom LotteryKennington Road, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent, TN24 0LZUnited KingdomDear Winner, We are pleased to announce you as one of the 3 lucky winners in the Oregon Games Lottery draw held on 14th September 2007. All 3 winning addresses were randomly selected from a batch of 5,000,000 international emails. Your email address emerged alongside to others as a 3rd category winner in this month's draw. Consequently, you have therefore been approved for a total pay out of £500,000.00 Pounds (Five Hundred Thousand pounds) only. The following particulars are attached to your lotto payment order:(i) Winning numbers: 7, 31, 62, 21, 74, 80 (ii) Serial number: 21-8-1974(iii) Lotto batch number: FL-101(iv) Reference number: SCF-414-33Please contact the under listed claims officer as soon as possible for the immediate release of your winnings: Mr. Mark WilliamClaims Department ManagerSILVER-COIN FINANCE COMPANYEmail: mr_mark_william@yahoo.co.uk Tel: +44 70457 16959Fax: +44 70304 04132Once again on behalf of all our staff, CONGRATULATIONS!!!Sincerely,Mrs. Helen MathewPromotions ManagerN.B:1.All claims are nullified after 10 working days from today. 2.Your Ref number must be in all your mails with the claims officer.3.Do inform the claims officer of any change of names or addresses. 4.All winners under the age of 18 are automatically disqualified. 5.Please contact your claims agent by fax or email "Mr. Mrak William" mr_mark_william@yahoo.co.uk
_________________________________________________________________
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