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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: "YAHOO/MSN AWRD TEAM" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <overseas.claims@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 17:47:01 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!

This is to inform you that you have won a prize money of One Million
Great Britain Pound Sterling (£1,000.000.00) for the month of
MAY 2010 Lottery promotion which is organized by YAHOO/MSN
LOTTERY INC & WINDOWS LIVE.You are to contact the events manager.
Identification numbersatch number .YM 09102XM:Reff number .YM 35447XM
Winning number .DTYFM0988
However you will have to fill and submit this form to the events
manager.
(1)Full Name
(2)Home Address
(3)Age
(4)Telephone Number
(5)Sex
Occupation
(7)State
(8)Country
(CONTACT EVENTS MANAGER)
Name:Mr Robert Lake
E-mail;overseas.claims@hotmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: