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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: "Kate Nicholas (Associate Director,Head of Communications)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <md_gnt_0000@europe.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2010 17:05:57 -0000
Subject: Notice: You Won!

Dear Winner!

We are pleased to announce that your email address was selected by our Electronic Random Selection System (ERSS) from exclusive list of e-mail addresses, both individuals and corporate bodies.

Your email address is your online automatic ticket/coupon which qualifies you for this draw; herewith, your e-mail address was attached to World Vision Poverty Relieve Ref - No; MDS/200-26937, Batch - No: 16MDS-06-2010, Winning - No: 02 10 16 18 27 41 and Bonus - No: 28.
Consequentially, we congratulate you as one of the winners in this Poverty Relieve Program, as you were approved to claim the sum of £680.000 GB - Pounds (Six Hundred and Eighty Thousand GB Pounds Sterling).

Caution!

Be aware of scam and contact our legal representative with under listed information to facilitate processing of your prize money:

Contact Person: Mr. Fred Howard
E-mail Address: fredhoward@slaugterandmay.co.cc
Phone Number: +447719730059

REQUIRED INFORMATION
1. FULL NAMES: ________
2. ADDRESS: __________
3. AGE AND SEX: ________
4. MARITAL STATUS: _____
5. OCCUPATION: ________
6. WINNING E-MAIL ADDRESS: ______
7. TELEPHONE NUMBER: ________
8. AMOUNT WON ________________

Kindly contact our legal representative with his email address stated above ASAP.

Yours Sincerely,
Kate Nicholas,
Associate Director,
Head of Communications
World Vision Organization.

Anti-fraud resources: