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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. Paul Morgan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <emailtojoe@blumail.org>
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2012 04:18:32 -0700
Subject: GET MORE FROM USING MICROSOFT WINDOWS.

© Microsoft Corporation
 
Dear Microsoft Windows User,
 
We are pleased to inform you that the results of Microsoft email lottery winning held yesterday in London United Kingdom has been released. This promotion was set-up to encourage the active email user, as Microsoft is ever present in all your online activities to make your surfing and emailing a much better friendly environment. For More Information, click attachment to download the file (pdf) and finally, act as advised with the necessary requirements.
 
Sincerely,
 
Dr. Paul Morgan
Head Of Operations (Microsoft Corporation United Kingdom).
 
disclaimers: This e-mail and attachment is directed uniquely to the interested party, which is the exclusive addressee of any information contained herein. For any abuse about the content of this message, Microsoft Corporation will claim compensation for damages occurred to third parties as well. In case the e-mail should be addressed to other than you, or the content should reveal any transmission errors or manipulations, please contact us at the following address: [ mailto:admin@mswindowsdeskcorp.com]
 
© Microsoft . Privacy policy . Terms of service

Anti-fraud resources: