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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: "YAHOO LOTTERY ORGANIZATION THAILAND" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <coordinator_offices010@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:57:17 +0700
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
YOU WON 1,750,000.00 UNITED STATE DOLLARS!!!
Dear Lucky Winner,
We are Pleased to inform you that your email was selected among the winning numbers of the recently Lotto conducted from the Yahoo Thailand Lottery Company and we shall be glad if you can claim your prize, please respond to this mail within 48 hours otherwise we will assume that you are not interested.
We conduct the Lotto using Lotto as part of our tax relief program set up by the International Lottery Board and Yahoo Inc, on this note we congratulate you and wish you best of luck as you claim the prize attached to this Lotto.
HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE
These are your identification numbers.
Ticket number..................... 5647600545189
Serial number....................... 1178-245-234jj
Lucky number................... 085-12876077-11
Batch number:
Ref number...................: 04/0013/IPO
You are to send the completed verification form below to the coordinator whose email address is given above so that you will be advised on what to do to get your prize money. Congratulations once more!!
1.FULL NAME.............................
2.COUNTRY OF ORIGIN......................
3.PRESENT ADDRESS.........................
4.POSTCODE...............................
5.DATE OF BIRTH..........................
6.OCCUPATION..............................
7.SEX....................................
8.TELEPHONE NUMBER........................
9.FAX NUMBER(IF ANY)......................
10.MARITAL STATUS........................
Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than 30 days of receiving this notification. Any claim not made by this date will be returned to HER MAJESTY'S DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. And also be informed that 10% of your lottery winning belongs to (THE PROMOTIONS COMPANY). Because they are the company that bought your ticket and played the lottery in your name.
Note also that this 10% will be remitted after you have received your winnings prize, because the money is insured in your name already
THAILAND CONTACT PERSON: MR. CHAN KANE
(Winner's directorate office)
E-Mail:coordinator_offices010@yahoo.co.jp
TEL:+(66)846-629-714
Office Fax: + (66) 261-382-62
LOTTERY CO-ORDINATOR.
Sincerely,
Yahoo! Customer Care,

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