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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: "Lotto Winning" <winninglotto@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:48:18 +0200
Subject: Attn: Winners of 14th August 2008.


From Mary Smith
The Secretary of Lottery Winners
International office
London, United Kingdom


Attention: Dear Sir/Madam,

We are pleased to inform you that as result of our lottery Draws held on the
5th July 2008 and announced on 14th August 2008. Your e-mail address
attached to ticket number 27522465896-532 with Serial number 652-662 drew
lucky numbers 7-14-18-23-31-45, which consequently won in the 1st category.
you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay of $1,200,000.00 U.S One
million two hundred thousand dollars note that all participants in this
lottery program have been selected randomly through a computer ballot system
drawn from over 200,000 companies and 400,000,000 individual email addresses
from all search engines and web sites.

This promotional program takes place every year, and is promoted and
sponsored by eminent world personalities like the (sultan of Brunei,Bill
Gates of Microsoft Inc and other corporate organizations). This is to
encourage the use of the internet and computers worldwide. for security
purpose and clarity, (we advise that you keep your winning information
confidential until your claims have been processed and your money remitted
to you.)

This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claims and unwarranted
abuse of this program by some participants. We look forward to you active
participation in our next year usd500 million slot. You are requested to
contact our lottery co-coordinator. Mr. Scott Bobby below to assist you
receives your winnings and furnishes you with any information you may need.
All winnings must be claimed not later than 30th Sept 2008.

Please note, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications,remember
to quote your winning numbers serial numbers and ticket numbers in all
correspondence. Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform
our agent as soon as possible.

Congratulations once more and thank you for being part of our promotional
program. You are required to reply to this email sb4806989@yahoo.com.hk or
call +447024017736 for further details. Note: you are automatically
disqualified if you are below 16 years of age.

Yours faithfully,

Mary Smith
For winning lotto

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