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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: "Mr.Terry Wilson's" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <feedback.claimoffice@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:37:40 -0700
Subject: YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS JUST WON ( £500,000.00 MICROSOFT AWARD MICROSOFT AWARD )COMPLY NOW.

Ref: BTL/101OXI/02
Batch: 12/25/0340


Your e-mail address has won you the sum of £500,000.00 from the MICROSOFTINTERNATIONAL LOTTERY.


For your payment. CONTACT PERSON:


Mr. Terry Wilson
Email: feedbackclaimoffice@yahoo.com.hk


INFORMATION REQUESTED:


(a) Your full Name: .................
(b) Contact address: .......................
(c) Your Telephone and fax numbers: .................
(d) Your Age: ........................
(e) Your occupation: .......................
(f) Your country of origin: ....................


Please note: Claiming your Winnings will cost you just US$ 95. take note of this and get back to Mr. Terry With the fee, so he can arrange for the delivery of your Bank Draft immmediately to your house address


Mr.Terry Wilson's------ Email: feedbackclaimoffice@yahoo.com.hk


Yours in service.
Microsoft Award Team
MICROSOFT AWARD TEAM COPYRIGHT © 2010 ALL RIGHT RESERVED

Anti-fraud resources: