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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: "MICROSOFT ONLINE EMAIL LOTTERY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <larryphllps7@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 02:45:45 -0000
Subject: Email ticket numbers: EAASL-56473

Email ticket numbers: EAASL-56473
We write to officially notify you that your email address has won
£950,000.00 in the MICROSOFT ONLINE EMAIL LOTTERY held on 30th of August 2010 in London. It is important that you acknowledge the receipt of this email with the
following:
VERIFICATION AND FUNDS RELEASE FORM.
1. Full names:
2. Residential address:
3. Phone number:
4. Fax number:
5. Occupation:
6. Sex:
7. Age:
8. Nationality:
MODE OF CLAIM
(1)Cash Pick-Up(You coming Down to London Personally to Pick Your Price).
 
(2)Courier Delivery Of your Certified Winning Cheque Name and other Winning Documents safely to you.
Contact: Mr. Larry Phillips
Email: larryphllps7@gmail.com
 
Congratulations once again.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr.Garry Paulson
(Web-Email Information Manager)
 

Anti-fraud resources: