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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: "Micrsoft Online" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <angusbellani@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 00:10:07 +0100
Subject: MICROSOFT® CORPORATION BOARD

 
MICROSOFT® CORPORATION BOARD
{UK. Regional Office}
Microsoft Campus
Thames Valley Park
Reading
Berkshire
RG6 1WG
UNITED KINGDOM.
 
 
CONGRATULATION!  CONGRATULATION!! CONGRATULATION!!!
 
Winner No: 05,
 
Microsoft Corporation wish to notify all online customers as we celebrates this year anniversary 2014; and also to inform you that you have emerged one of the beneficiary Selected in this ongoing 35th Anniversary Program in conjunction with the Foundation of Software Products (F.P.S.) The Microsoft internet E-mail draw is held periodically and is organized to encourage the users of the Internet and promote computer literacy worldwide. Your e-mail addresses was-pick randomly by software powered by the Internet.
 
 
A Cheque will be issued in your name by Microsoft Corporation Board UK (MCSP), you have therefore won the entire sum of 1, 000,000, 00(One Million Great British Pounds Sterling) which consequently won in the 2nd category.
 
 
Contact: Dr. James Hoff
Email: jameshoff2009@aol.com
Phone: +44-708-762-2857
 
 
Provide below information for validation of your prize
 
.Residential Address:
 
.Tel (Mobile):
 
.Nationality/Country:
 
.Full Name:
 
.Age/Sex:
 
.Occupation/Position:
 
Alternative email account if any:
 
.What is Your comment On Microsoft Products?: 
 
 
 
 
You are required to scan and send to us any means of Identity of yours for Identification purpose, it can either be your International Passport, drivers License or Pan card for Identification purpose, or any other means of Identity but it must be a valid one. Do send it to us immediately so that we can inform you on the next step to follow by email or telephone.
 
 
Note: your award security information (Data File Number: UK/9420X2/68, Ref.Code:0087955827499, Grant Number: MSC/0080648302/13)
 
 
To file for your claim, Please contact your Validating Officer for VALIDATION of your winning within Twenty-nine working days of this winning notification. Winnings that are not validated within Twenty-nine working days of winning notification are termed void and invalid. You are required to mention the above particulars of your award in every correspondence to enable the Agent validate your winning.
 
 
For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claim is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever choice you want to claim your prize, Precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program are in place. Please be warned!!!
 
 
The Microsoft Internet E-mail lottery Awards is sponsored by our CEO/Chairman, Bill Gates and a consortium of software promotion companies.
 
 
Congratulations once again from the entire management and staff of Microsoft Corporation to all our lucky winners this year and thanks you for being part of this Promotional lottery Program. Our special thanks and gratitude goes to Bill Gates of Microsoft and all his associates for alleviating poverty around the world through this promotion.
 
(N B) You are hereby advised not to disclose the content of this Prize Award until your money  have been     remitted to you re account to avoid disqualification that will arise from dual claim.
 
©2014 Microsoft Corporation®

Anti-fraud resources: