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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. Serina Gomez" <mrsserinagomez1@norilsk.biz>
Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 13:05:50 +0100
Subject: UNCLAIMED LOTTO PRIZE PAYMENT NOTICE.


*INTERNATIONAL LOTTO ORGANIZATION
Juan Southern portion De Mencosea 6E 21022,
Cotonou Republic Du Benin

UNCLAIMED LOTTO PRIZE PAYMENT NOTICE.

ATTENTION TO THE OWNER OF THIS EMAIL ADDRESS;

Winner in the 2nd category of our Euroafric free Net Lottery Promotional
award draws held in February 2007.

I am writing in respect to your lotto winning prize of $1.200, 000.00m [One
Million Two Hundred Thousandth United State of America Dollars Only] which
you won through the email ballot draws in our Euroafric Lotto Award in 2007
in the second category prize winnings crate gory.

We wish to inform you that your total prize money of $1.200, 000.00m has
been returned to us by our Lotto claims agent as unclaimed prize after their
initial letter to your address for your payment was not successful.

You are here by requested to contact our Treasury Office on telephone +2299
3571 129 or 002299 3571 129 and also through e-mail:(**
mr.brightdestiny01@live.fr* <mr.brightdestiny01@live.fr>*) for your
immediate payment, Our Treasury officer's Name is Mr.Bright Destiny, so
refer this to him immediately for the immediate payment of your unclaimed
lotto prize payment to you.

You should contact our Treasury Officer as directed above for your payment,
and do notify me as soon as you received your payment from our Treasurer.

Thanks,
Mrs. Serina Gomez.
President; Int'l Lotto Org.*

Anti-fraud resources: