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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: EUROPEAN SWEEPSTAKES PROMOTION <europeansweeptakes234@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <europeansweepstakes_claimagent07@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 14:05:07 +0000
Subject: AWARD FINAL NOTIFICATION!!!


EUROPEAN SWEEPSTAKES PROMOTION49 Chepstow Close, Lytton Grove, London , SW15 2HG United Kingdom. Ref: win/oct102/06Batch:05/10/wa34 AWARD FINAL NOTIFICATION We happily announce to you the draw of the EUROPEAN SWEEPSTAKES International programsheld on the 20th of SEPTEMBER 2007 in CROYDON, LONDON Your emailaddress attached to ticketnumber :1456 with serial number :5555/04 drew the lucky number3-1-174, which subsequently won you the lottery in the first category.You have therefore been approved to claim a totalsum of 2,000,000.00 (Two million euros) in cash credited to file wlp/23456/05. This is froma total cash prizeof 60,000,000 Million euros, shared amongst the first thirty (30) luckywinners in this category.In view of this, your 2,000,000.00 (Two million euros) would bereleased to you by our redemption centers and Europe.Our agents will immediately commence the process to facilitatethe release of your funds as soon as you contact our agent.All participants were selected randomly from World wide Website through computerballot systemextracted from over 1,000,000 companies and individuals,This promotiontakes place annually. For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidentialtill your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements.Please be warned. To file your claims, please contact our agent:Mr.Williams Patton.Universal Trust Inc.Tel:+44-704-573-2473 Fax:+44-707-502-0586Customer Care:+447005805929Email:europeansweepstakes_claimagent07@yahoo.co.uk Note: That all winning must be claimed not later than two weeks ofreceiving this notification. After this date all unclaimed, funds will be included inthe next stake. To avoid unnecessary delay and complications, Please quote yourreference/batch numbers inany correspondences with us or our designated agent. Congratulations once more from all members and staffs of this program!!! Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified. Sincerely,Dr.Wolfgang G. CrusenManaging Director
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