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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: "Mr. Andy Gibson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <claims_dept01@yahoo.cn>
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:02:13 +0200
Subject: 2012 UK ONLINE PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMME.

CONGRATULATIONS!

February 14th, 2012.

You have gained the computer Balloting Programmed. This message is from the promotion manager. You have won on the computer ballot system Programmed, the sum of One Million British Pounds.

Contact your Claim Agent immediately via:

Name: Mr. Denis Cole
Tel: +44-792-4577-442, +44-792-4586-162
Fax: +44-871-5030-223
E-mail: claims_dept01@yahoo.cn

You have tic number (7PWYZ2010) and BAL number (BT: 12052010/20).

To avoid delays, you are to quote your tic and Bal numbers, and also fill the below processing form:

1) NAMES
2) AGE
3) SEX
4) ADDRESS
5) PHONE
6) FAX
7) OCCUPATION
8) COMPANY
9) COUNTRY
10) AMOUNT WON
11) I WANT TO BE PAID BY: BANK TRANSFER OR CHEQUE

NOTE: A payment of handling charges, processing and administrative fees is required from every beneficiary who is not a BRITISH Citizen.

Accept my hearty congratulations once again!

Yours faithfully,
Mr. Andy Gibson,
Promotion Manager.

Anti-fraud resources: