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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: "02 TELECOMMUNICATION LOTTERY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <steveaustinn@cash4u.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:44:38 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS WON

Dear Sir / Madam

Your email address was attached to ticket number: 47001725 07056490102 and serial number 7741134002.This batch draws the lucky numbers as follows 5-13-33-37-42 and bonus number 17. This e-mail is to congratulate you as your email address has won you a cash prize of 715,000.00 Great British Pound in our Online Lottery Sweepstakes Promotion held in London March, 2012. To file your claims.

contact Agent: Steve Austine
E-mail: steveaustinn@cash4u.com
Telephone: +44 7045722827 or +44 7031875551

Note: You are required to tender your Full Name(s) & Reference # (same as above) Full Address, Country Of Residence, Occupation, Age, Sex, Telephone Number to the claims agent, via email for a valid response.

Thank you for being a part of this online lottery promotion. Note this promo was open to you maybe you use one of the following:- Credit card, Online Ad post and Shop online.

Anti-fraud resources: