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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: "SHELL PETROLEUM COMPANY.MY"<malaysiashell@promo.com.my>
Reply-To: <agnt.markwaters@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:12:05 +0100
Subject: GREETINGS, FROM SHELL PETROLEUM (MALAYSIA)

SHELL PETROLEUM (MALAYSIA) LTD (993418-M)
SHELL OFFICE, JALAN SHELL 981100 LUTONG
SARAWAK
 
Greetings, From Shell Petroleum
 
You have just been awarded the sum of $1,Million United States Dollars Only which was won by your E-MAIL Address in our Shell Petroleum Lottery Promotions here in
Malaysia. Shell Petroleum Lottery Promotions is part of our social responsibilities in line with
with our company act as stated in the company act law.
To begin your claim please contact our licensed and accredited agent assigned to you.
 
[INTERNATIONAL VERIFICATION DEPARTMENT MANAGER]
 
Name: Mr. Mark Waters
Email: agnt.markwaters@hotmail.com
 
Do email the above Claims Administrator, with the claims requirements below. To avoid unnecessary delay. They are needed to proceed.
 
Claims Requirements:
 
First Name:_______________Last/Family Name:__________________
Sex:_______________Age:_______Date of Birth:___________________
Occupation:_______________________Nationality:_________________
Address:______________________________Marital Status:____________
City:_____________State:________________ Zip/Postal Code:___________
Country:______________________Cell Phone:____________________
Fax:________________E-mail:________________________________
 
PAYMENT OF PRIZE AND CLAIM
 
You are to contact your Claims Agent with immediate effect to facilitate the protocol of your winning prize before the date of Claim, Winners Shall be paid in accordance with his/her Settlement Centre, Prize must be claimed not later than 15 days from date of Draw Notification after the Draw date in which Prize has won. Any prize not claimed within this period will be forfeited.
 
Congratulations!!!
 
Sincerely,
Mrs. Joy Lowe(Secretary)
 
Shell Corporation. All rights reserved
 
THIS E-MAIL IS CONFIDENTIAL. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify us by return e-mail and delete the document. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Microsoft is not liable for the proper and complete transmission of the information contained in this communication or for any delay in its receipt.
 

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