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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: "Australia.national-lottery" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <visualdispatchco@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 22:53:36 +0100
Subject: LOTTERY DRAW WINNER.

Dear lucky winner,
Congratulations, you are one of the lucky winners of Thursday 20th March 2014 Australian lottery with Australia Powerball winning numbers (11, 20, 22, 27, 34, 39, Powerball: 6). You have won the total sum of US$6,397,300 in division 1 of the lottery games.
*Powerball winning numbers confirmation (http://australia.national-lottery.com/results/australia-powerball-results.asp).
Visual Dispatch Delivery Agency has been assigned to carry out the safe delivery of your certified bank check. Contact them via the stated directives below for claims.
Visual Dispatch Delivery Agency
1st division officer: Dr. Aaron Peterson
Email: visualdispatchco@gmail.com
Information required for clearance and payment
Name: ……………………
Address: …………………
Telephone number: ……...
Gender: ………………….
Age: ……………………...
Occupation: ………………
Once more, congratulations
Sincerely,
Mrs. Mary Crawford
(Online director)

Anti-fraud resources: