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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Microsoft Corporation ©2011" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <vath.koan@london.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2011 17:31:08 +0800
Subject: Winner No: 03

MICROSOFT BOARD
(Malaysia. Regional Office)
Microsoft Building,85l-3
Batu 1 1/2 Jalan Tampoi,
Kuala-Lumpur, M'sia.

Attn: Winner No: 03,

Microsoft Corporation wish to notify all online customers as we celebrates the 35th year anniversary 2011; and also to inform you that you have emerged one
of the beneficiary Selected in this ongoing 35th Anniversary Program in conjunction with the Foundation of Software Products (F.P.S.) The Microsoft
internet E-mail draw is held periodically and is organized to encourage the use of the Internet and promote computer literacy worldwide.

A Cheque will be issued in your name by Microsoft Corporation Board M'sia (MCSP), you have therefore won the entire sum of £850, 000, 00
(Eight Hundred And Fifty thousand Great British Pounds Sterling) which consequently won in the 2nd category.

Contact Microsoft Office with the below information for Validation.
Name: Ms. Vath Koan
Contact Email: koan_vath@yahoo.cn

.Residential Address:
.Tel: /Mobile:
.Nationality:/ Country:
.Full Name:
.Age: /Sex:
.Occupation: /Position:
. Scan Copy Of International Passport/Valid ID:
.What is your comment On Microsoft Products?

Note: your award security information (Data File Number: KL/9420X2/68,Ref.Code:0087955827499, Grant Number: MSC/0080648302/07).To file for your claim,
please contact your Validating Officer for VALIDATION of your winning prize. Winnings that are not validated within Twenty-nine working days of notification are termed void and invalid.

For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claim is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever
choice you want to claim your prize, Precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program are in place.Please be warned!!!

The Microsoft Internet E-mail Awards is sponsored by our CEO/Chairman, Bill Gates and a consortium of software promotion companies.

Congratulations from the Staffs & Members of MicrosoftBoard Commission.

Mr. Norman Dermot
@2011 Microsoft Corporation
Tel: +60147630884 (Call for verification 24hrs)

Anti-fraud resources: