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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: "INTERNATIONAL BUREAU" <upperrock.gtb@gibtelecom.net>
Reply-To: officeofinquiry@aim.com
Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2008 08:31:33 +0200
Subject: [ALERT]: Call Immediately for Details!


Attention,

You have been selected as the STAR prize winner in this
automated online ballot.

Your Winning information is as shown below;

Ref Number: PW9590ES9414
Batch Number: 573881545-NL/2008
Ticket Number: PP3502 /8707-01
Amount Won: $2,500,000.00

You should forward your claim to our certified and accredited
claims agent with the information below:

Name: Ralph Germain
Phone: +31 647 283 937
Email: officeofinquiry@aim.com
Email: officeinternational100@yahoo.de

You are also advised to provide him with the following
information:

Names:
Telephone/Fax number:
Nationality:
Country of Residence:
Occupation:
Age:

Congratulations on your Winning Prize and we look forward to
completing your payout soon.

Yours Sincerely,

Sarah Jones
Promotion Coordinator

*Disclaimer:*
This e-mail is intended solely for the addressee(s) and contains
confidential information. Unauthorised distribution,
modification or disclosure of its contents is unlawful. If you
have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender
immediately by return e-mail. Please then delete the e-mail from
your system and do not copy it or disclose its contents to any
person. Information, opinions or conclusions contained in this
message that do not relate to the official business of the
senders employer or principal will be understood as neither
given nor endorsed by it.



Anti-fraud resources: