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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: Wafa Kammoun <wafa.kammoun@univ-rennes1.fr>
Reply-To: info@swiftlink.vpost.co.uk
Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 17:16:00 +0200
Subject: 2010 Result Release!




--

THE MARINA OFFICES, ST PETERS YACHT BASIN
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, NE6 1HX
ENGLAND.


Attention: Email Bearer,

The prestigious Microsoft has successfully organized and sent out
Sweepstakes marking the 2010 anniversary. Microsoft is running an e-mail
beta test.

All participants were selected through our Microsoft computer ballot
system form 21,000 names, 3,000 names from each continent, as part of
International "E-MAIL" Promotions Program, which is conducted every year
for prominent email users all over the world, and for the continue use of
E-mail.

Your email address have won £350,000.00,GBP in the MICROSOFT AWARD PROMO

We hope with your prize,you will be happy to promote the use of E-mail.
To claim your winning prize, you must first contact the claims department by
email for processing and remittance of your prize money to you.

Claims Requirements:

1. Full Name:.................................
2. Address:...................................
3. Nationality:...............................
4. Sex....Age: ......... Date of Birth:.......
5. Occupation:................................
6. Phone:................Fax:.................
7. State of Origin:.. ..........Country:. ....

Finally, all funds should be claimed by their respective beneficiaries,
not later than 20 days after notification. On behalf of the Board
kindly,accept our warmest congratulations.

(ONLINE HELP DESK):
Sir Powell White.
E-mail: info@swiftlink.vpost.co.uk
Head Winning Claims Dept.

Thanks,
Mrs. Elizabeth Grant
INFORMATION DEPARTMENT.
CHIEF SPONSOR; MICROSOFT CO-OPERATIONS UNITED KINGDOM

Anti-fraud resources: