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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: Uk National Lottery <icscourier88@sify.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:23:36 -1000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS............................YOU HAVE WON =?ISO-8859-1?B?ozk1Niw0MjA=?= POUNDS

Dear Winner,

We happily announce to you the draw (#1019) of the UK NATIONAL LOTTERY,online Sweepstakes International program held on
the 10th Jan,08, Your e-mail address was attached to ticket number:56475600545188 with Serial number 5368/02 drew the
lucky numbers:21-32-41-42-43-46,and a bonus number of (17) which subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category.

You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of £956,420(Nine Hundred And Fifty-Six thousand,four hundred and
twenty pounds) in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/03.

You are to contact our AFFILIATE COURIER COMPANY for delivery of your winning certificate and winning cheque of
956,420.Pounds.

CONTACT COURIER WITH THE BELOW EMAIL LINK.
MR HARRISON BLAIR
INTERNATIONAL COURIER SYSTEMS
EMAIL: icscourier88@sify.com
TEL:+44 70359 00238
+44 70359 00235
+44 70111 20523
+44 70111 20247

Congratulations once more from all members and staffs of this program.

Yours Truly,
Richard K Lloyd

Anti-fraud resources: