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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: "Yahoo Int'l Lottery Organization" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <coordinator2012@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 16:25:09 -0400
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!

                                   YAHOO INT'L LOTTERY ORG.   
                    NO: 3 SUKHUMVIT LANE  BANGKOK THAILAND.
                   
                                      CONGRATULATIONS!!!
                 YOU WON 1,000,000.00 UNITED STATE DOLLARS!!!
Dear Lucky Winner,
We are pleased to notify you the Draw (#1690) of the Yahoo Int'l Lottery Organization Program held on Sunday, 29th April, 2012. Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from a pool of over 25,000 names of distinguished professionals drawn from Europe, America, Asia, Australia, Middle-East, Africa and New Zealand as part of our international promotions program conducted to encourage prospective overseas entries.
 
We hope with part of your prize awards, you will take part in our  subsequent lottery jackpots. The result of our computer draw (#1690) which took place on Sunday, 29th April, 2012 selected email address attached to winning numbers listed below which  subsequently won you the lottery in the 5th category to the sum of ONE MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS ( $1, 000,000.00USD). This is from a total of $25,000,000.00USD shared amongst 25 lucky winners. You have therefore been approved to claim your winning fund in cheque credited to file YILO/9023118308/10.
 
Your prize award has been insured in your email address to our paying bank:Thanachart Bank Pcl. Bangkok Thailand and is ready for claims. To begin your claims therefore, you are advised to expeditiously contact our coordinator and accredited claim agent for Overseas Lottery Winners within a period of 14 days (date of this email inclusive) for the processing of your winning and remittance to your designated bank account after all statutory obligations have been satisfactorily dispensed with. For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claim is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize.
This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program. Please be warned.
 
Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our Bangkok booklet representative office in Thailand as indicated in your play coupon. In view of this, your funds would be released to you by any of our payment bank::Thanachart Bank Pcl. Bangkok Thailand.
An original copy of your lucky winning ticket and your deposit certificate will be sent to you by Administrative Remittance Operation Manager of Thanachart Bank Pcl Bangkok.  
Please be informed that claims not processed within the stipulated period may be forfeited to the pool without further notice. Our Lottery Coordinator agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him.
 
HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE
These are your winning/identification numbers.
Ticket number.....................154-12872774-09
Serial number.......................21370-7
Lucky number...................27-50-23-94-66-40
Ref number...................Y.TILB/6362362114/26
 
To begin your lottery claims, Please contact our Yahoo Lottery Co-ordinator as follows,
Name: Mr. Mark Chang
Email:  coordinator2012@yahoo.co.jp
Tel: : +(66)847-816-294
 
You are to send the completed verification form below to the co-ordinator whose email address is given above so that you will be advised on what to do to get your prize money. Congratulations once more!!
1. FULL NAME:................................
2. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:............
3. PRESENT ADDRESS:...............
4. DATE OF BIRTH:.....................
5.OCCUPATION;..........................
6.TELEPHONE NUMBER:.........
7. SEX:..........................................
8. FAX NUMBER:......................
9. MARITAL STATUS:.............
10. WINNING NUMBER, BATCH NUMBER AND LOTTO NUMBER:.......
 
Make sure this Verification and Funds Release Form is sent to the Fiduciary agent for quick verification and funds release purpose. Our winners are assured of the utmost standards of confidentiality, and press anonymity until the end of proceedings, and beyond where they so desire. Be further advised to maintain the strictest level of confidentiality until the end of proceedings to circumvent problems associated with fraudulent claims. This is part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program.
 
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Once again from all members of our staff and thank you for being a part of our International Promotions program.
We wish you continued good fortunes.
Yours Sincerely
Vice President
Yahoo! Lotto Org.
Online Coordinator.
Copyright! 2002-2012 The Yahoo-Thailand Internet Promotions.
All rights reserved. Terms of Service - Guidelines.

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