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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: "Mrs. Carolina Lennon" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <elizabethmei1973@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 10:23:33 -0700
Subject: You Won 1Million Pounds.

Dear Email Bearer ,
Congratulations! Your email address have won £1.Million Pounds in the big price at Microsoft Award Promotional 2013. Please download Attachment to read the Attachment message.
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Carolina Lennon .
Information Department
Microsoft UK Headquarters Campus Thames Valley Park Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1WG.
 

Anti-fraud resources: