419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- info.financemicrosoft@o2.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "=?big5?B?TWljcm9zb2Z0IE9ubGluZSBQcm9tbw==?="
<info.financemicrosoft@o2.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2010 04:08:52 +0800
Subject:

MICROSOFT CORPORATION.
Broadcasting House,
Queen Margaret Drive
G12 8DG
Glasgow
United Kingdom.

Dear Sir/Madam,
Congratulations, your e-mail has won the best internet user of the year 2009/2010, in the ongoing ONLINE INTERNATIONAL E-MAIL PROMO/LOTTERY sponsored by

MICROSOFT CORPORATION. All participants were selected through internet service provider from 25,000 e-mail network,using their e-mail addresses from

different (Website) from Australia, Middle East, New Zealand, North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa as part of an International Promotion

Programme. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 275-189-657-23-05. Amount won (¢G1,000,000.00 GBP), One million Great British Pounds:
Microsoft board of directors and the British gaming commission as appointed Microsoft Finance Company to ensure you receive your prize money.
SIMPLY FILL out your details: SEND IT TO PAYMENT CENTER: Microsoft Finance Company: VIA email: info.financemicrosoft@o2.co.uk

1.Name.................................................
2.Contact address......................................
3.Telephone number.....................................
4.Nationality..........................................
5.Occupation...........................................
6.Ticket number........................................
7.E-mail address.......................................

PLEASE TAKE NOTE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS OFFICE, THIS IS AN AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED E-MAIL:make sure you contact Microsoft Finance Company with this email:

info.financemicrosoft@o2.co.uk

Mrs.Jenna Bradshaw
(Online Co-ordinator)
©1997-2009 MICROSOFT CORPORATION. PROMO BV. All Rights Reserved.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam