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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: "FACEBOOK INC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <facebookaward_13@yahoo.it>
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2013 16:22:43 +0100
Subject: FACEBOOK ONLINE INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY

FACEBOOK ONLINE INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY
FROM: THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT.
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD.
CATEGORY: 2ND
                                                               CONGRATULATIONS
FROM FACEBOOK!
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the just concluded annual Final
draws held on the (30th of September 2013) for this NEW YEAR by Facebook group
in cash Promotion to encourage the usage of Facebook users worldwide, your
javascript:void(0) Name was among the 20 Lucky winners who won $600,000:00USD
(Six Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) each on the Facebook group promotion
Award Attached to ticket number (5647600545189) and Ref No (2551256002/244)
Serial Number (55643451907).
 
The online draws was Conducted by a random selection of emails, you were picked
by an Advanced automated random computer search from the Facebook in order To
claim your $600,000:00USD the lottery program which is a new innovation by
Facebook is aimed at saying A BIG THANK YOU to all our users for making Facebook
their number one means to connect, communicate, relate and hook up with their
families and friends over the years.
 
Your name was selected in a raffle that was made 30th of September 2013 so we
need your fast response so that we can proceed with the delivery of your fund.
 
You are required to contact our dispatch dept via email ( lotteryfacebook315@yahoo.it)
signifying your interest by providing your most confidential, Full Name, Cell
Number for quick communication also your country and home address.
 
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your
reference and batch numbers in all correspondences. Furthermore, if there is any
change in email address please contact us on time Note: Do not reply to these
Face Book Account for security purpose reply to the payment department in charge
and if you are not interested please do not bother to reply.
 
CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN FROM FACEBOOK!
Regards,
John Cole
Promo Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources: