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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: "ONLINE NOTIFICATION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <w.russell@yahoo.cn>
Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:29:58 +0100
Subject: YOU HAVE WON (18/04/2013)

Microsoft Online Award
Suite 7, 415 Bow Road,
Docklands, London.
United Kingdom.
 
Attn: Esteemed Bearer
 
We happily announce to you the draw of the Sweepstake Lottery International
programs held on 1st April 2013 in LONDON ENGLAND. Your e-mail
address was attached to ticket number: EAASL-530877.And subsequently
won you the lottery in the 3rd category.
 
You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of 450,000.00
(Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pounds Sterling) This is from a total
cash prize Shared amongst the first ten (10) lucky winners
in this category.
 
Please note that your lucky Winning number falls within our Europe booklet
representative in LONDON,ENGLAND as indicated in your play coupon.
In view of this, your 450.000.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand
pounds sterling) cheque, would be released to you by our fiduciary agent
in LONDON, ENGLAND.Our Fiduciary agent will immediately commence
the process to facilitate the release of your check up as soon as you contact
him.
 
To begin your claim please contact our licensed and accredited agent
assigned to you
Mr Russell P.Wood.
Microsoft Promotion Award Team
Email: russellw@yahoo.cn
Phone Num +447024071733
Fax +448704796466
Alternative Email: woodrussell@yahoo.cn
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, you are to contact Mr Russell
P. Wood  with the followings details below:
 
VERIFICATION AND FUNDS RELEASE FORM.
(1) Your contact address.
(2) Your Tel/Fax numbers.
(3) Your Nationality/Country.
(4) Your Full Names.
(5) sex
{6} Age.
{7} Occupation/
(8) Your Preferred Method Of Receiving Your Prize(From Below)
Mode of Prize Remittance:
(1) Cash Pick-Up (You coming down toUnited Kingdompersonally to pick your
prize).
(2) Courier Delivery of Your Certified Winning Cheque and other Winning
Documents safely to you.
 
Quote your Ticket number in correspondences with us to our designated agent.
Winners under 18 years of age will be automatically disqualified.
Congratulations, once more from all members and staffs of this program.
Thank you for being part of this promotional lottery program. Our special
thanks and gratitude to Sultan of Brunei, Bill Gates of Microsoft and all his
associates.
 
You are expected to keep your winning details to yourself in strict confidence
for security reasons.
 
DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL; CONTACT YOUR FIDUCIARY AGENT DIRECTLY.
 
Sincerely,
Dr. Andrew Herbert
Microsoft Promotion Award Team

Anti-fraud resources: