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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: "2013 Google Award" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <claimsagent.rwilliams0147@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 21:57:17 -0300
Subject: Attention: Dear Award winner 2013

Google 13th Anniversary Awards Centre,
Unit 1, Royds Park, Whitehall Road, Leeds LS12 4TU, United Kingdom
 
Dear Award winner
 
This is to inform you that you have won yourself an Award of Eight Hundred Thousand Pounds (£800,000 GBP) in the Google 13 Years Anniversary Awards as organized by the Anniversary Centre of Google Inc., held on JULY 21st, 2013 in London, United Kingdom.
 
The Anniversary Centre of Google Inc, as a part of their for-profit philanthropic wing (GOOGLE.ORG) promotion. Awards MUST be claimed by the email owner ONLY, not later than 30 days from the day of notification.
 
Award Reference code: GOOGLE568A2012
File number:  G255
 
Send your complete personal information with your Award Ref. and File no. to us to enable us process your Prize;
 
1. Full name,
2. Country,
3. Contact Address,
4.Sex,
5. Age,
6. Occupation,
7. Telephone/Fax no.,
8. Your Gmail account:
 
Director of Peoples Operations: Mr. Richard Williams
 
Telephone: +27747368666
E-Mail: claimsagent.rwilliams0147@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: