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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: "MSN LOTTRY" <abbeyonline_execs@ubss-ag.org>
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:43:58 +0100
Subject: YOU HAVE AN UNCLAIMED LOTTERY FUND WITH CODE NUMBER: MSN-081511


MSN Headquarters
1 Microsoft Way,
Mayfair House 14-18 Heddon Street,
Mayfair London W1B 4DA United Kingdom.

Attention: Winner,

The Management of MSN! LOTTERY INC. wishes to inform you that you have won our lottery promotion. However, we are displeased that our initial notification mail to you was not acknowledged.Hence we are compelled to send this second notification/Riminder mail since we presume you didnot receive the first mail in this regards.
MSN! LOTTERY INC conducted lottery promotion lottery raffle draws was done through an electronics selection of internet users from different parts of the world without a prior notification of the email identity owner to avoid undue influence on the results by
unscrupulous person(s) and staffs.and you name and email address emerged as one of the Ten Lucky winners in this year's Quarterly Lottery promotion.

Your certified lottery prize of $500,000.00 Dollars(Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) has been approved for payment through our accredited regional bank the Abbey National Bank. We have received unclaimed winners list from Abbey bank and your email addresses was shortlisted.

You are by this email advised to contact the Abbey National Bank as soon as possible to claim your prize before the extended date for payment expires.
Abbey National Bank should not be held responsible for the non payment of your fund if you fail to comply to our directives.You are by this notice directed to contact Abbey National Bank through email at:
abbeyonline_execs@ubss-ag.org,
Or call your designated Claims agent, Mr. Robert, on phone 011- 447-031-923-5661 for payment advice.

Finally, make sure that you re-confirm your Full name, Contact telephone number to the bank.Please do not reply to this email. Unfortunately e-mails sent to this address will not be honoured!

Yours Faithfully,
Management
MSN LOTTERY

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