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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: "LOTUK/UK01/2012" <info@lottery.org>
Reply-To: gabriela_winston-uk@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:08:42 +0800
Subject: Winner Reference Number: 48,DH,83/LOTUK

Dear Selected Winner,

After a random automated selection of email addresses over the internet,
your email emerged as one of our special winners receive £3,152,190.00 and
is attached to the following details:

FILE CATEGORY - LOTUK/UK01/2012
Ticket No: 68/837
Reference Number: 48,DH,83/LOTUK

To confirm the authenticity and validity of your winnings as well as to
commence receipts of your entitlement, you MUST FORWARD a copy of this
announcement as well as your

FULL NAMES -
VALID MOBILE/CELL NO. -
COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE -

to our Winnings Director via contact information below:

Mr. Darren Harvey,
Winnings Director,
Automated Winnings Department,
Email: darren_harvey-uk01@hotmail.com

Yours faithfully,
Gabriela Winston,
Automated Winnings Coordinator,
Automated Winnings Department

============================================================
DISCLAIMER & CONFIDENTIALITY:
The information contained in this communication is intended solely for the
use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others
authorized to receive it, as it may contain confidential or legally
privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient you are
hereby notified that any disclosure, unauthorized use, copying,
distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this
information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have
received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by
responding to this email and then delete it from your system.
LOTTERY UK INTERNATIONAL is neither liable for the proper and complete
transmission of the information contained in this communication nor for
any delay in its receipt.

Anti-fraud resources: