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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: Winterthur Lotterien <winof1@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: <mailwinterthur@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2007 06:27:09 +0000
Subject: Information and Payment Bureau:



Winterthur LotterienCentral Office Management and Central Services:General Guisan-Strasse 40CH-8401 ,WinterthurSwitzerland

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the just concluded Winterthur draw.

Winterthur draws was conducted from an exclusive list of 50,000,000 e-mail addresses of individual and corporate bodies picked by an automated random computer ballot search from the internet as part of our international promotions program which we conduct every year. No tickets were sold.

After this automated computer ballot, your e-mail address attached to serial number 09-01-70 drew the lucky number 76-19-08-99-31-62, which consequently emerged as one of first ten (10) lucky winners in the United Kingdom category.

You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay off of €1,000,000.00 (One Million EURO) in cash credited to file WL/41/0041.This is from total cash prize of 50 Million Euro shared amongst the first fifty- (50) lucky winners all around the world. Your funds are now deposited in an offshore bank with a hardcover insurance.

Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in London. In view of this, our affiliate bank in the Europe would release your €1,000,000.00 (One Million Euro) to you in the United Kingdom.

To claim your prize funds, you are required to come directly to our UK office for direct claim. If you have problems with coming to our office you can make a wire transfer of your funds to your private bank account.

You can also employ the use of a courier service company to deliver your winning cheque to your home or office address.

You are required to state your chosen option of claim in your return e-mail, so we can assist you with the remittance of your winnings to your designation.

Kindly contact our help line with the information for claim assistance.

Winterthur LotterienInformation and Payment Bureau:United Kingdom Office

Mr. Donald Duke.Tel +44-703-191-9598 +44-703-192-9037

E-mail: mailwinterthur@yahoo.com.hk
You will be assisted with the remittance of your prize funds to your designated bank account.

Note that all prize funds must be claimed not later than 10 days. After this date all funds will be returned to the LOTTERY TREASURY as unclaimed. Please endeavor to quote your Reference Number: WL/41/0041 and Lucky numbers: 76-19-08-99-31-62 in every correspondence with your help service.

Congratulations once again from all members and staff of the Winterthur Lotterien and thanks for been part of our program.

Mrs April Muller.Promotions Manager.Winterthur Lotterien
_________________________________________________________________
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