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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 Corporation <ouvidoria@detran.ma.gov.br>
Reply-To: Microsoft Corporation <msp.promdept@live.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 4 May 2011 19:07:18 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: Final Notification!!!

Microsoft Sweepstakes Promotion,
100 Victoria St, London SW1E 5JL
United Kingdom
Customer Service.

You have been awarded the sum of 550,000 GBP and a
Toshiba laptop in the on going Microsoft Sweepstakes
Promotion 2011. For claims send the below reference
and batch number for verification and release of winning
prize. Mr Patrick Parker

Your Batch No: 074/05/ZY369
Your Reference No: UK/9420X/05

(Foreign Transfer Manager)
Mr Patrick Parker
Tel: +44 702-407-1307
+44 704-577-9151
Email : msp.promdept@live.co.uk

Anti-fraud resources: