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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: "=?ISO-8859-1?Q?MICROSOFT=AE__AWARD_?=PROMOTION" <info@uk.com>
Reply-To: msft_claims.uk@live.com
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 03:12:39 +0200
Subject: Batch #:742701AE) Ref #:/610/09)

MICROSOFT® AWARD PROMOTION DEPARTMENT 2009
20 Craven Park, Harlene's London NW10,
London, United Kingdom.
Website: www.microsoft.co.uk
Batch #:742701AE) Ref #:/610/09)

CONGRATULATION LUCKY WINNER!!!

This is to inform you that your E-mail address has just won you a
consulation prize of the MICROSOFT AWARD PROMO 2009, EMAIL DRAW held
on July 10th 2009. This lottery scheme was created to bring awareness to the
world
Your email has won £500,000.00GBP. (Great British Pounds). fill the
verification
form below and send it to your Claims Officer Rev. Moores Jones,
with your Ref#:BTD/610/09),and(Batch#:742701AE) For your prize processing.

================================================================
CERTIFICATE OF PRIZE CLAIM (Receipt Official Notification Letter)
================================================================
NAME:......................................
COUNTRY:..............................
ADDRESS:...............................
CITY:.........................................
STATE/PROV:.........................
ZIP/POSTAL/CODE:............
CELL PHONE:...........................
OCCUPATION..........................
AGE:.............................................
EMAIL:.......................................
REFERENCE NUMBER:.........
BATCH NUMBER:...................

To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your
Reference/batch numbers to any correspondences with us or our
designated agent.

Your's Sincerely,
Mr. Bill Gate.

Anti-fraud resources: