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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 Lotteries" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <msoftLoto@aol.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 23:34:34 +0100
Subject: WINNER !!!!! Microsoft Lotteries


www.lotto24.co.uk

In line with the weekly sweepstakes of the above named organization held on the 26th of November, 2010. It is our pleasure to inform you that your e-mail address attached to the above Ref No: 98046/UK, Batch, No: 0034/344/LOT, Series, No.6587654789543-20, and Ticket NO: 9087768 came up in the first category.

This invariably means that you have emerged as the prize recipient in the first category with an allocated sum of: £250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand British Pounds Sterling). Be informed that all participants were selected from a random computing email address lottery ballot system. This charitable sweepstakes is sponsored by a group of corporate organizations. To claim your prize award, please contact our claims officer below either by phone, fax or email and remember to always quote your reference and/or batch number in all conversations.

Name: Mr. Dan Marks.
Tel: 00447747072529
Fax: 00447747979959
Email: (msoftLoto@aol.co.uk)

To file for your claim, please forward the following information's below ;

(1). Your Name.
(2). Country of Residence.
(3). Date of Birth
(4). Phone & Fax number
(5). Ref Number, Batch Number and your lucky email address
(6). Occupation

Congratulations once again from our members of staff and board of directors. We await your quick response.

Yours truly,

Sarah Evans
Promotion Co-ordinator, Lotto 24.



Anti-fraud resources: