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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: "POWERBALL LOTTERY PROMOTION 2013" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <powerballlotterysa@e-mail.ua>
Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2013 03:23:37 -0400
Subject: Re: Your Email has won

POWERBALL LOTTERY PROMOTION 2013

Lottery headquarters:
170, Braxton court,
Four ways, east gate
Johannesburg.

Reference Number ZAR/2324514325/2013
Batch number: CGA/2013/SA

We are pleased to inform you of the final announcement that you are one of our winners of the POWERBALL Lottery international programs. The
online cyber lotto draws was conducted from an exclusive list of 21,000 e-mail addresses. After this automated computer ballot, your e-mail
address emerged as one of three winners in the category "A" with the following winning information: You have therefore been approved to claim a
total sum of US$1,500,000.00 (one Million five hundred thousand dollars).

However no previous notification is given before your email address was picked for this lottery. Generally email address are picked, the draws
are processed by the computer through a special program that is special designed for this lottery, the program is known as Random Access
Program (RAP)This software picks email addresses from the internet and through a random process, picks the winners through their email address.
CLAIMING OF PRIZE

1) Your full names:
2) Your address:
3) Telephone and Fax numbers:
4} you’re Date of Birth:
6} you’re Batch NO: Ref NO:

To claim your cash prize please contact the lottery manager.MR. BONGANI THOMAS immediately

Contact: Mr. Bongani Thomas
Email: powerballlotterysouthafrcan@superposta.com
Email: powerballlotterysa@e-mail.ua
Tel: +27727944835

Anti-fraud resources: