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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: "SWISS-LOTTO" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <remitdept@aol.nl>
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 01:12:04 +0200
Subject: CLAIM VERIFICATION NOTICE!!!

SWISS LOTTO,
Van Limburg Stirumstraat 40,
2316 TS, Leiden, Netherlands.
www.swisslotto.ch
 
Dear Winner,
 
This is to inform you that you have won 850,000 Euro in the SWISS LOTTO Email Lottery in which Email addresses are picked randomaly from the world wide web through the Internet.
 
Your Email address was attached to Reference Number: HLD/NIL-321.5432/22 with Serial Number: SNLD: FEK:321J-EU and drew the Lucky Number: 5 which won the Email Lottery in the category "A" . Therefore you have been approved for the pay out amount of 850,000.00 Euro.
 
To file for your claim, please contact our accredited fiduciary agent:
Fiduciary Agent: Mr. Peter Van Rijn
 
Tel:+31-68-541-4949
 
Fax:+31-84-438-5548
 
Email:remitdept@aol.nl
 
Remember to quote your lottery winning details in all your correspondences with us or your accredited fiduciary agent.
 
Congratulations once more from all members and staff of this program and thank you for being part of our promotional lotto program.
 
Sincerely,
Mr.Hengs Beekham
Online Co-coordinator

Anti-fraud resources: