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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: "LOTTERY WARD 2012 LONDON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <olympics2012games@london.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2011 01:37:28 -0700
Subject: ++RE: THIS IS A FINAL REMINDER FOR YOUR AWARD++

Congratulations! Your Email ID with Ticket No. LND0026 won 2012 Olympic lucky
draws held in London. View our website (http://www.london2012.com). Your
Email ID was awarded GBP1, 500, 000, Great British Pounds.

To claim your prize, Contact the under assigned agent with the following
details. Your names, address, Telephone /Fax numbers. Age and occupation. Please
ensure to direct reply to this mail box Email: olympics2012games@london.com

You have to be very serious with your claim otherwise your file will be
cancelled.

We wait to hear from you,

Regard,
Mrs. Stella Botha


Anti-fraud resources: