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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: "UK National Lottery" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <judithferguson1@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2011 01:12:54 +0200
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION

UK National Lottery
>From The Desk of The Promotions Manager


We announce today the external draw #3011 of the UK National Lottery draw for 2011 in the United Kingdom. Your email address was attached to Ticket Number 807/510054/08, with Serial number 99010, which won in the 2nd Category.
You have been approved for payment the sum of £2,000,000:00 (Two Million Great British Pounds) credited to file with REF NO: UKYA/98710/HA/10 and Batch No.: 10070UKYA.

To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary claim Agent;
====================================
Mrs. Judith Ferguson
Email: judithferguson1@yahoo.co.jp
===================================

Please remember to quote your Reference and Batch Numbers along with the following details:

NAME:.........
ADDRESS:........
COUNTRY:..........
PHONE/FAX NUMBER:......
AGE:.......
SEX;........
OCCUPATION:......

upon your confirmation email to the claim agent. All prize money must be claimed not later than the 14 days.
Congratulations!!!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Judith Ferguson
Claims Director, Union Finance Management

Anti-fraud resources: