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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: "EUROMILLIONES LOTTERY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <postcode2010@live.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 04:25:42 +0200
Subject: YOU ARE POST CODE WINNER 2010` [Batch Number: EU-175508]

Euromilliones Lottery International
[Mutua Seguros SL]
Paseo de la Castellana 44,
28046 Madrid. Spain.

YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WON THE POST CODE LOTTERY.

We wish to congratulate you over your email success in our 2010 Spanish Postcode Lottery E-mail program. This is a millennium scientific computer game in which email addresses were used. It is a promotional program aimed to encouraging internet users; therefore you do not need to buy ticket to enter for it. Your winning references are:

(i) Amount Won: 1,000,000 {One Million Euros only}
(ii) Ticket Number: (ES42071-002)
(iii) Batch Number :( EU-175508)
(iv) Reference Number :( ES07-84-09-00-221)

You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you receive your lump prize in your account or optional check issuance to you. This is a protective measure to avoid double claiming by people you may tell as we have had cases like this before. Contact the claim officer with your Full Name, Tel Number and winning references for more information on your prize.

Dr. Edwin Miguel.
Foreign Service Manager.
Tel: 0034634041202
Email: postcode2010@live.com

Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Maria Carlos,
Public Relation Officer.

Anti-fraud resources: