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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: "Microword Corporations" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <infomircoword@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:19:29 -0800
Subject: Your Email address have been picked

Your Email address have been picked

Microword Corporations Your Email address have been picked as a winner of a lump sum pay out 500,000.00
Euros (Five Hundred Thousand Euros) a total cash prize of Five Million Euros Shared
among the ten International winners the results were released on 10th of Jan,2010
Spain Madrid.

Organized by Microword Corporations and your email attached to the Email,
Ref No: MSFT-54-BX
Batch No: MSFT-G001

Contact person: Mr. Alex Pedro
Email: infomircoword@aol.com

This Lottery is approved by the Spanish Gaming Board and also licensed by the
International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR).This lottery is the 3rd
of its kind and we intend to sensitize the public.

All winnings must be claimed not later than seven working days,thereafter unclaimed
funds would be included in the next stake.

Congratulations!!!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Rachel Miguel.
Msft Promo Cordinator.




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