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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: Mrs Helen Cole <mrs.helen_cole2@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2008 03:32:57 -0800
Subject: PLEASE FILL AND RETURN



Microsoft Award TeamRef: BTD/824/07Batch: 267091GD
*Dear Lucky winner,
WINNING NOTIFICATIONThis is to inform you that your email has won a consulation prize ofthe Microsoft Corporation held March 2008 through an electronic ballot system your email address was luckily picked as one of the lucky winners to claim 500,000.00GBP. To claim your prize please fill the above claims processing form and send back to us via email to enable us process your claim:

*BENEFICIARY NAMES :*DATE OF BIRTH:*COUNTRY :*NATIONALITY:*PHONE NUMBER :*OCCUPATION :*AMOUNT WON:*RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS :


Please replyl immediately within 24hrs.

Congratulations once more!!

RegardsMrs Helen Cole
_________________________________________________________________
Don't get caught with egg on your face. Play chicktionary!
http://club.live.com/chicktionary.aspx?icid=chick_wlhmtextlink1_feb

Anti-fraud resources: