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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: "Heerema" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <euro_lotto@ozu.es>
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:04:02 +0100
Subject: EURO MILLION LOTTERY S.L

Sir/Madam,
This is to notify you that your email address was entered during the annual Euro Milliones Lottery selection Draw and have won the sum of 984.000.00 euros.
Contact below claim officer on e-mail or Telephone for immediate process of your claim; Remember to quote these numbers below for verification by the company.
Ref: No ES/EUR-1302/09.
Batch No EU/0002009-MAD.
You should include Your Name, Address, Age, Occupation, Nationality and Phone numbers.
Dr.Heerema Peter John (Claim Officer)
E-mail: euro_lotto@ozu.es
Tel: +34 634 100 980
Once again congratulations. Your email address has brought to you this expected luck
Best regards,
Mrs.Maria Jose Muyor.
Euro Milliones Lottery

Anti-fraud resources: