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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: "Microsoft Corporation" <info@microsoft.co.uk>
Reply-To: mrjoshivanclaims@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:24:17 +0530
Subject: Official Notification Letter




MICROSOFT AWARD TEAM
Microsoft Corporation
Thames Valley Park,
Reading Berkshire RG6 1WG.
United Kingdom.
Ref: BTD/968/08
Batch: 409978E

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Dear Lucky winner,

This is to inform you that your email address has won a consolation prize
worth (£500,000.00 GBP) Five Hundred Thousand Great British Pounds, From
the Microsoft Corporation Award Promotional EMAIL DRAW held today Thursday
11th March 2010.


Your email address was among the selected random play held today in our
headquarter in UNITED KINGDOM. This Award is to promote the use of
internet for this year and also contribute to the upkeep of people around
the world.

=======================================================
CERTIFICATE OF PRIZE CLAIM(Receipt Official
Notification Letter)
=======================================================
1. Full Name:...................................
2. Address:....................................
3. Marital Status:..............................
4. Occupation : ...............................
5. Age:........................................
6. Sex:........................................
7. Nationality:................................
8. Telephone Number:............................
9. Choose option of Prize Remittance
Bank Transfer...............................
Courier Company Delivery....................
========================================================

Our special thanks and gratitude to Bill Gates and his associates. We wish
you the best of luck. Please you are to provide your full details to our
claims officer at the contact below:

Mr. Josh Ivan
Microsoft Award Department/Claims Office
Email: mrjoshivanclaims@yahoo.com.hk

Anti-fraud resources: