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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: "Australia Powerball" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ausypowerball@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:42:39 -0700
Subject: Congratulations!!!

 
Powerball Australia
AUSTRALIA POWERBALL AUDITED ENTRY REPORT
15 KINGS AVENUE LONDON, SW1 6EC, UNITED KINGDOM
TEL: +44-7405591138/FAX: 011-447053487702
Audit Control Number: A1Q259
Ref No: LOT/122/001                                                                                                                                      
 
Congratulations!!!
We are pleased to announce the result of the AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL POWER BALL DRAW held on Aug.5, 2014.
 
Among the 103 participating finalist playing 2000 full ticket from a pool of US$59,100,000.00 (Fifty Nine Million One Hundred Thousand US Dollars) your email attached to ticket number 32311544362111 with Serial number 550133-87 drew the lucky numbers 15-10-25-29-45-49 which consequently won the prize in that category. You have therefore been approved for a lump sum payout of US$2.4, 000.000.00 (TWO MILLION FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) in cash credited to file REF: LOT/122/001. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
 
Your fund is now deposited in an escrow account in London. We ask that you keep this award from public notice until your claim has been processed and the money remitted into your account as this is part of our security measures to protect your prize. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 30,000 Email Usage from Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North and South America, Middle East and Africa as part of our International Promotions Program. Your email appeared in our EUROPEAN REGIONAL OFFICE in LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, which is where your payment will be processed. We hope that with a part of your prize, you will take part in our end of year HIGH STAKE US$800 Million draw.
 
To begin your claim, please contact your agent ASHLEY FRAZIER [OSA ACCREDITED AGENT] on Tel: +44-7405591138, Email: austlotaustlot@yahoo.co.uk, quoting your reference number. Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than the end of December, 2014. Any claim made after this date will not be entertained. And also be aware that this is a tax-free lottery. It is important to place an insurance cover on your prize money. Please be informed that 10% of your lottery winning belongs to UNIVERSAL BONDS AND CREDITORS UK LTD (the company that purchased your ticket). NOTE: this 10% will be remitted after you have received your winning prize.
 
NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference number in every correspondence with your claims agent or us. Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform your claims agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once again from all members of our staff and thank you for being part of our promotions program.
 
YOU MUST BE OVER 18 YEARS TO CLAIM.
 
With the following details to file for claims and avoid delays and complications of funds claim while the promotions last.
 
Kindly contact the agent on the above email stating the under listed information
 
Full Names.........................................    
Country...............................................          
Residential Address.........................
Occupation..........................................     
Age.........................................................                    
Company.............................................               
Phone.....................................................                
Gender................................................               
Marital status.................................
Next Of Kin.......................................
These are your identification numbers............
Reference Number............................................
 
Sincerely Yours,                                                                  
MICHEAL WOODWARD
PRESIDENT
THE CHOICE TO CLAIM YOUR WINNING IS ENTIRELY YOURS.DO NOT MISS THIS LIFE CHANGING OPPORTUNITY.WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE YOU THE PLATFORM TO ACTUALIZE YOUR DREAMS.IT IS OUR WISH THAT WITH A LITTLE OF YOUR WINNING,YOU HELP PUT A SMILE ON THE FACES OF THOSE IN DIRE NEED OF IT.PLEASE DONATE TO CHARITY.OUR GUARANTEE AT OSA IS IN OUR NAME. Overseas Subscribers Agents is a Government-licensed Lottery Service Agency, which has been marketing National Lotteries to overseas subscribers for over 19 years. Acting as agents on behalf of Lottery players around the world. OSA makes it possible for you to enter Government lottery such as Australia Power ball etc.

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