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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "PROMOTIONS/ PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT." <verificationunit2008@live.com>
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:59:23 +0200
Subject: *****SPAM***** FINAL NOTICE!!


Spam detection software, running on the system "mail.tugab.bg", has
identified this incoming email as possible spam. The original message
has been attached to this so you can view it (if it isn't spam) or label
similar future email. If you have any questions, see
The administrator of that system for details.

Content preview: BRITISH LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/ PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT.
60 Merriman Road Blackheath London SE3 8RZ England CUSTOMER SERVICE Ref.
Number: BTL/491OXI/04 Batch Number: 12/25/0304 Ticket Number: 564 75600545-188
Serial Number: 5388/02 [...]

Content analysis details: (9.3 points, 5.0 required)

pts rule name description
---- ---------------------- --------------------------------------------------
-1.8 ALL_TRUSTED Passed through trusted hosts only via SMTP
2.1 SUBJ_ALL_CAPS Subject is all capitals
1.3 MISSING_HEADERS Missing To: header
0.0 BAYES_50 BODY: Bayesian spam probability is 40 to 60%
[score: 0.5000]
1.6 KAM_LOTTO2 Highly Likely to be a e-Lotto Scam Email
2.9 KAM_LOTTO1 Likely to be a e-Lotto Scam Email
1.2 ADVANCE_FEE_2 Appears to be advance fee fraud (Nigerian 419)
2.0 LOTTERY_PH_004470 LOTTERY_PH_004470



Anti-fraud resources: