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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: "James Fredrick" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <owensmith37@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:14:05 +0100
Subject: Attention Instant Winner

INSTANT MILLIONAIRES LOTTERY AWARDS
PRIZE/ADMIN DEPARTMENT
67 Broomhill Drive
Mount Murray
Santon,
London, United Kingdom

Attention Instant Winner,

We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today the 11th of NOVEMBER 2010, of winners of the INSTANT MILLIONAIRES LOTTERY PROMO as part of the New Year Celebrations.
Your e-mail id was selected through the computer ballot system a winner of INSTANT MILLIONAIRES November online lottery program.
You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay of £500,000.00 Great Britain Pounds.
You have to contact your claims agent for your payment process.

Claims Agent: Owen Smith
Email: owensmith37@gmail.com

Forward to him your claim details below;
REF. NUMBER: 2009/897/0984
BATCH NO: MFD/3099/OSG
LUCKY NO: 1 8 13 22 27 38 41
SECURITY CODE: 676

Amount Won: £500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand British Pounds).
You have to contact him not later than three working days.
Once more congratulations.

Regards,
Mr James Fredrick
Admin Officer

Anti-fraud resources: