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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: "Edgar Vargas" <evargas@frc.edu>
Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 06:21:53 -0800
Subject: Winning Notification For UK Lottery 2008



Dear Lucky Winner,

We are pleased to notify you of the draw (1152) of the UK NATIONAL
LOTTERY, Online Sweepstakes International Lottery Program held on 25th
November 2007.


Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from
a pool of over 25,000,000 Emails of distinguished professionals drawn
from Europe, America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Middle-East, parts
of Africa, and North & South America as part of our international
promotions programme conducted annually to encourage prospective overseas
entries.


The result of our computer draw (1152) selected your email address
attached to e-ticket number: 56475600545 188 with Serial number 5368/02
drew the lucky numbers: 15. 25. 29. 35. 39. 40 (Bonus no.11), which
subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category i.e. match 5 plus bonus.
You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of £2,500,000.00
(Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling) in cash credited
to file BNKJ/1740161514/03.

Your prize award has been insured in your name and is ready for claims.


United Kingdom Lottery Fiduciary
Contact Person: Robert Kings
Email:john_1152_sm@hotmail.com <http://uk.f278.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=john_1152_sm@hotmail.com&YY=40153&y5beta=yes&y5beta=yes&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b>

In line with the governing rules of claim, you are requested to furnish
Your Claim Agent With the following information:

1. Full name...........
2. Address............
3. Occupation............
4. Tel/Fax............
5. Country............

Do understand that, this is done to ensure that, we are dealing with
the rightful Winner in this 2nd category to avoid double claiming by non
winners.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

John W. Smith.

Note: All further correspondence should be forwarded to your claims
officer via this email address: john_1152_sm@hotmail.com <http://uk.f278.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=john_1152_sm@hotmail.com&YY=40153&y5beta=yes&y5beta=yes&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b>


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