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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: "Power Ball Lottery" <pblnotice@online.org>
Reply-To: harrycharles@skymail.mn
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 02:53:37 -0400 (AMT)
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!




NOTICE...CONGRATULATIONS!!!!


This is to inform you of the release of the WINNERS of the E-MAIL LOTTERY
BALLOT / WORLD GAMING BOARD held on the 20th January 2012. Your email
address attached to ticket number 219021357411 with serial number
922735511 was one of the sucessful premium winners.

You have therefore been approved for a payment of £1,000,000.00.

CONTACT:
NAME: HARRY CHARLES.
E-MAIL:harrycharles@skymail.mn
TEL: +447024093241

Congratulations again!!!

Best Regards,

Walker Peters.



Anti-fraud resources: