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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: GOOGLE SECURITY DEPARTMENT <zeinageb@idm.net.lb>
Reply-To: googlesecuritydepartment@8u8.com
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:52:21 +0100
Subject: GUK/877/798/2010

From: The Google Promotions A= ward
Ticket No: GUK/699/33/2009
Winning Number: GUK/877/798/2= 010
 
Notification Date: 12th/2/201= 0
 
This is to inform you that Yo= ur email address just emerged you winner of =A3450,000.00 GBP in the = Google Promotions International Award year promotion draws held on th= e 12th of Feb. 2010.
 
Contact Google Payment Office= via the contact details stated below with your
Full Name, Address, Sex, Occu= pation & Present country for claims.
 
Google Claims Department.
Phone: +44 704 575 6787
     = ;  +44 704 577 1449
Email: googlesecuritydepartme= nt@windowslive.com
 
Google Incorporation=AE.
Belgrave House,
76 Buckingham Palace Road,
London SW1W 9TQ,
United Kingdom

Anti-fraud resources: