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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: "Karol Hilton" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <claimdept.nl@aol.nl>
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2009 02:57:51 -0700
Subject: Claim Now !!!

Mail Microsoft Corporations.
Customer Service
Your Reference No: FPD-L/Z-4020
Your Batch No: 2009/904/XZY.


OFFICIAL WINNING NOTIFICATION.

We are pleased to inform you about the release of the long awaited
results of Sweepstakes promotion organized by Microsoft, in
conjunction with the foundation for the promotion of software
products, (F.P.S.) held this August 2009 in The Netherlands where your
email address emerged as one of the Online Winning emails in the 3rd category
and therefore attracted a cash award of 920,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Twenty
Thousand Euros) and a Dell laptop.

To begin your claim, do file for the release of your winning by
contacting our Foreign Transfer Manager:

Mr. Joe Douglas
Fax: +31-847-550-927
Email: claimdept.nl@aol.nl

INFORMATION NEEDED FROM YOU TO SEND YOUR LAPTOP AND TO ISSUE YOUR
CHEQUE ON YOUR FULL NAME AND CONTACT ADDRESS!!

YOUR FULL NAME:
OCCUPATION:
AGE:
SEX:
ADDRESS:
POST CODE:
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY:
MOBILE-TELEPHONE:
FAX NUMBER:
WINNER EMAIL ADDRESS:
REFERENCE NUMBER:

As soon as you send the information to us by Email, these will enable
us start your Verification Procedure from our Office here in Europe
Amsterdam the Netherlands .However once the verification is done all
the necessary documents that are required for you to receive your
laptop and Cash Cheque in your country will be file along with your
winning CHEQUE PARCEL CONSIGNMENT via COURIER to your contact address
you will provide.Please,endeavor to send these required information
via fax as well.

If you would like your funds to be deposited on your bank account,we
advise that you inform us so that we provide you with further detailed
requirements towards the transfer option.

The Microsoft Internet E-mail lottery Awards is sponsored by former
CEO/Chairman and a consortium of software promotion companies. The
Intel Group, Toshiba,Dell Computers and other International Companies.
The Microsoft internet E-mail draw is held periodically and is
organized to encourage the use of the Internet and promote computer
literacy worldwide.

Congratulations!!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Karol Hilton
Promotions Manager.

Anti-fraud resources: