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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: "MEGA LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrraymondblake@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:12:32 -0500
Subject: RE :

MEGA LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL
 
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
REF Number : MLI/231-ILGI0431/14
BATCH Number : EAPA/15/096/PTNL
TICKET Number : 20511465897-6291
SERIAL Number : 472-971103
LUCKY Number : 8-66-97-22-71-64
 
 
RE : WINNING FINAL NOTIFICATION
 
 
Sir, Madam
 
 
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held on the 18th of February 2014 Your E-mail address attached to Ticket number 20511465897-6291 with Serial number 472-971103 drew lucky numbers 8-66-97-22-71-64 which consequently won in the 2nd category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum payout of £650,000.00 GBP ( Six Hundred And Fifty Thousand Great Britain Pounds Sterling ). This is from a total cash prize of £15,000,000.00 GBP Million shared among Ten International Lucky Winners in the Category A ( Plus )+ . CONGRATULATIONS!!!
 
Be informed that your documents have to pass our authority to obtain a clearance, which shall be attached to your Document in readiness of the subsequent onward transfer into your nominated bank account with 24 hours of completion of the authentication. Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information very confidential until your claims have been processed as the Beneficiary Certificate Ownership Winning Notification, Stamp duties and re-activation of Account of your prize /money remitted in readiness of the subsequent onward transfer into your nominated Bank Account is completed
 
This is in conformity with the latest transfer regulations signed by the Organization / Netherlands Government since this is part of our Security protocol measures to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 100,000,000 Companies and 200,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world, through the aid of our insurance Company.
 
This promotional program takes place annually. We hope you will take part in our next year £45 Million GBP International lottery. To file for your claim, please contact our /your fiducial agent the POUNDS ACCREDITED PAYMENT AGENT
 
 
Name: MR RAYMOND BLAKE
Email : mrraymondb@yahoo.com.hk
 
 
Endeavour to provide him with the following information in your contact with him.
 
Full Names:
Contact Address:
Occupation:
Age:
Sex:
Telephone:
Fax number:
Nationality:
 
 
NOTE: That all winnings must be claimed not later than 28th of February 2014. After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
 
Finally, we call on you to make sure that you note every letter clearly as stated for we will not be held responsible should there be any complications in this transaction due to laxity on your part. So you are to expedite action in claiming of your funds, for delays will compel us to disperse your funds, in other words, we shall divert your funds as stated above. In order to avoid unnecessary delays and mistakes, Kindly remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence.
 
Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.
 
Yours truly
Mr Harry Herman
Lottery Coordinator

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