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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: "BMW Automobiles" <lottery@bmw.com>
Reply-To: davidsmith_bmw@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:42:13 +0800
Subject:

You have emerged Winner from the New Year Weekly Draws.Contact Mr. David
Smith, davidsmith_bmw@yahoo.com.hk For Claims Of Funds,Provide the
following Information in your Email;Amount Won:£700,000.00.Date Of
Draw:January,2010.

Claims Requirements:

1.Name in full:
2.Address:
3.Nationality:
4.Age:
5.Occupation:
6.Phone/Fax:
7.Present Country:

Please indicate "X" for the option you want your prize remitted to you.
Listed are the options of receiving prize payment.

(1) BY COURIER DELIVERY OF YOUR PRIZE:
..............................................[.....]
(2) BANK PAYMENT TRANSFER|TELEGRAPHIC
TRANSFER|SWIFT TRANSFER|ONLINE
ACCOUNT TRANSFER........{.....}
PAYMENT APPROVAL PROCESS:

Accept my hearty congratulations once again!

Regards
John Wood
BMWLAND Lottery manager.

Anti-fraud resources: