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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: "Google Corporation" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <11thanniversary@gala.net>
Date: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:08:33 -0000
Subject: GOOGLE HAPPY 11th ANNIVERSARY

 
Google Corporation®
Belgrave road
46 Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1W 9TB
United Kingdom
 
GOOGLE HAPPY 11th ANNIVERSARY
 
This is to notify all online customers that Google is 11th years; Google became a Corporation on September 4, 1998. The primary objective for this Corporation is to encourage individual that are active Users of Google search engine and Google ancillary service. Google is currently the world leading search engine worldwide, and is vigorously making more effort to make sure the reputation of the company stands out to be the best among the rest, with the optimize help of our customers worldwide. We wish to congratulate you once again, for being selected on the ongoing 11th Anniversary Promotion. Hence we do believe with your winning prize, you will continue to be active and patronage Google.
 
A winning cheque will be issued in your name by the Google Corporation board, you have therefore won the entire sum of 460,000.00 {Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand Great British Pounds} and also a certificate of prize claims will be sent along side your winnings cheque. You are to make contact with your designated agent who shall by duty guide you through the process of facilitate the release of your Prize.
 
To file your claim, Please contact your Foreign Transfer Manager:
 
Google Corporate®
Mr. Ned Potter
Email: 11thanniversary@gala.net
 
VERIFICATION AND FUNDS RELEASE FORM.
(1) Your contact address.
(2) Your Tel/Fax numbers.
(3) Your Nationality/Country.
(4) Your Full Name.
(5) Occupation/Age.
(6) How do you feel as a winner?
(7) What is your comment on Google?
 
You are advised to contact your Foreign Transfer Manager with the following details (Ref NO: GCB/468-672GH/L, Batch: GSC0024WIN) to avoid unnecessary delay and complications.
 
The Google Corporation Promotion has discovered a huge numbers of double claims due to winners informing close friends about their prize and also sharing their pin numbers. As a result of this, these friends try to claim the prize on behalf of the real winners. Google Corporate have reached a decision from headquarters that any double claim discovered by the Corporation Board will result in canceling that particular prize, making a loss for both the double claimer and the real winners.  You are hereby strongly advised one more to keep your winnings strictly confidential until you claim your prize.
 
Congratulations from the Staffs & Members of the Google Board Commission.
©2009 Google Corporation®

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