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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: "LOTTERY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <officefreelotto3@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Dec 2013 02:31:05 -0800
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Dear Selected Winner,

After a random automated selection of email addresses over the internet,
your email emerged as one of our special winners to receive £3,152,190.00
and is attached to the following details:
FILE CATEGORY - LOTUK/UK01/2013
Ticket No: 68/837
Reference Number: 48,DH,83/LOTUK
To confirm the authenticity and validity of your winnings as well as to
commence receipts of your entitlement, you MUST FORWARD a copy of this
announcement as well as your

FULL NAMES -
VALID MOBILE/CELL NO. -
COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE -
to our Winnings Director via contact information below:

Mr. Darren Harvey,
Winnings Director,
Automated Winnings Department,
Email: officefreelotto3@gmail.com

Yours faithfully,
Geoffrey Phillip,
Automated Winnings Coordinator,
Automated Winnings Department
Email: officefreelotto3@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: