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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: "British Red Cross Society" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <helphaiti@i12.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 05:41:00 -0500
Subject: MAKE YOUR DONATIONS NOW / HAITI EARTHQUAKE

The British Red Cross Society
British Red Cross
UK Office
44 Moorfields
London EC2Y 9AL


MAKE YOUR DONATIONS NOW / HAITI EARTHQUAKE
======================================

Dear Reader,

A devastating earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck Haiti on 12 January 2010, killing an estimated 50,000 and affecting at least one million people. The situation in the capital Port-au-Prince and other nearby areas is dire, with hundreds of thousands of people in urgent need of assistance.

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, local Red Cross staff and volunteers were on the scene and continue to assist the injured and support hospitals struggling to cope.

Drawing on resources around the world the Red Cross is carrying out a huge emergency response operation. Pre-positioned relief goods were released immediately within Haiti and from other warehouses in the region. These consist of kitchen kits, shelter kits, personal hygiene kits, blankets and containers for storing drinking water.

As well as distributing vital supplies the Red Cross is providing medical aid and water for survivors.

Relief aid workers from the Red Cross have already been arriving at the Haitian Capital with relief materials.

Donations have been grouped into three categories:

1: Group A (?250 British Pounds Sterling to ?1,000.00 British Pounds Sterling)
2: Group B (?1,000.00 British Pounds Sterling to ?2,000.00 British Pounds Sterling)
3: Group C (?2,000.00 British Pounds Sterling and above)

Donations are to be made payable via WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER directly to our donations accounts liason officer as RECEIVER'S name below;

DONATIONS ACCOUNT LIASON OFFICER: MRS MARY ARKWARD
LOCATION: 44 MOOREFIELDS, LONDON EC2Y 9AL


Please provide us via return email the following information’s below as they appear on the Western Union Money Transfer Slip;

1. Name and Address of Sender ***
2. Exact Amount Sent ***
3. MTCN ***

NOTE: At British Red Cross, we are committed to protecting your privacy as a STANDARD practice. We will not share your information unless you have previously indicated that you are happy for us to do so.

Hope to receive your donations soon as thousands need your help.

Please send return email with donation details to; help.haiti@discuz.org


Yours Sincerely,
Edison Stannic
For and on behalf of the British Red Cross Society

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