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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: www.uklott.pro533@comcast.net (Walter Jones)
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 22:42:15 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION FOR CATEGORY "A" WINNER ONLY

WINNING NOTIFICATION FOR CATEGORY "A" WINNER ONLY

After this automated computer ballot, your e-mail address emerged as a winner in the category "A" with the following numbers attached Ref Number: EH 9590 OG 0612, Batch Number: 563881545-NL/2008 and Ticket Number: PP 3502 /8707-01. You are advised to contact our Certified and Accredited claims agent for category "A" winners with the information below:
Name: Pieter Henk
Phone: +44 701 112 7907
+44 701 113 0937
Email : onlinelottery666@yahoo.co.uk
You are advice to provide him with the following information:
YOUR FULL NAMES:
COUNTRY:
AGE:
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
BATCH NUMBER
REFERENCE NUMBER:

Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.
Yours Faithfully,
Walter Jones.
Lottery Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources: