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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: "Angela Cowen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sean.nolan@yahoo.cn>
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2011 16:03:01 -1200
Subject: Netherlands Office ......

Hello, We are pleased to notify you the Star Receiver of our last Secured Mega Online Promotion result. This is a reward program for the patronage of internet services and all email addresses entered for this promotional draws were randomly selected from an internet resource database of registered software and domain users. Reference Number: AA-873/2011 E-ticket number: 0810682TF Category: A Amount: USD3.500.000,00 (Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) You are required to establish contact with your claims agent via e-mail with the particulars presented below: Contact: Mr. Sean Nolan Phone: +31 61 671 0747 Email: sean.nolan@yahoo.cn In line with the governing rules of claim, you are requested to furnish Mr.Nolan With the following information: 1. Full name... 2. Address... 3. Occupation... 4. Tel/Fax.... 5. Cell/Mobile... 6. Age... 7. Winning Ref Number... Congratulations! Orkin, Bruce A Promotions Coordinator NOTE: This is an Automated Message. Respond to your claims officer's email address (sean.nolan@yahoo.cn).

Anti-fraud resources: