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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 ANNUAL DRAWS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <telllesfen.ole@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 17:27:52 -0700
Subject: FACEBOOK W//Nos 2014!!!

CONGRATULATIONS FROM FACE BOOK IN CONJUCTION WITH POWERBALL LOTTERY SPONSORS. DEAR BENEFICIARY We are pleased to inform you of the result that just concluded annual Final draws held on the (9th Of August 2014 ) by Power Ball group in cash Promotion to encourage the usage of Face book world wide, your javascript:void(0)Name was among the 20 Lucky winners who won $4,200.000.00USD (Four Million,two hundred and fifty thousand united state dollars) equivalent to 3.4 Million Euros Face book 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 email you where picked by an Advanced automated random computer search from the Face book in other To claim your $4,200.000.00USD equivalent to 3.4 Million Euros the lottery program which is a new innovation by Face book, is aimed at saying A BIG THANK YOU to all our users for making Face book their number one means to connect,communicate,relate and hook up with their families and friends over the years. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants and Scam artists All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 20,000 companies\' and 30,000,000 individuals\' email addresses and names from all over the world This promotional program takes place every three years.You have to be Rest assured that this is Real and Legal..and there are Some Scam artists around...Thanks to the FBI...216 of them have been arrested... The software corporation to encourage some few individuals with web site and email addresses promoted this lottery. Your name was selected in a raffle that was made in August 2014 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 (telllesfen@gmail.com) with information below in order for us to complete your winning certificate and for further information regarding the disbursement of your lottery win. FULL NAME: FULL CONTACT ADDRESS: MOBILE PHONE NUMBER: OCCUPATION: MARITAL STATUS AND AGE: NATIONALITY / COUNTRY: TICKET NUMBER: REF NUMBER: SERIAL NUMBER: YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS: All winnings must be claimed not later than One month notice is received,After this date, all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. 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 Attorney Barrister in charge and if you are not interested please do not bother to reply. To enable him issue you certificate of winning Accept my hearty. CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN FROM FACE BOOK & POWERBALL LOTTO SPONSORS! Thanks, Regards, Patrick Widen Promo Coordinator.

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