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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: claims@lottery.com
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:52 -0500
Subject: CONGRATULATION YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS HAS WON


Comeniusstraat 648, 1033BW Amsterdam, Netherlands. E-mail: lotterywinner@ri=
chardstoneenterprise.com Ref. Number: ILL/0854PGT/73003NL Batch Number: 146=
3856-284-/Lh Sir/Madam, Surprise Surprise !!! We are heartened to inform yo=
u of the unique result of the Inter Lucky Lotto program held on the 15th of=
December, 2014. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 67895034748=
7 with corresponding serial number: 099-563588 drew lucky numbers: 84-34-23=
-11-20-18 which consequently won in the 3nd category. You have therefore be=
en approved for a pay-out of 1.000.000.00 EUROS (ONE MILLION Euros). We adv=
ise you to keep your winning information undisclosed until your claim has b=
een processed and your fund remitted to you. It is a part of our security p=
rocedure to avert double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by =
some unscrupulous participants. All participants were selected through a co=
mputer ballot system drawn from over 20,000 companies and 30,000,000 indivi=
dual email addresses and names from all over the world. This promotional pr=
ogram will take place every three years. This lottery was promoted and spon=
sored by eminent personalities whose names would be made public soon. We ho=
pe that with part of your winning, you will participate in our next year 25=
0 MILLION EURO GRAND LOTTO SUPER. Please you are requested to come personal=
ly to file in your claim, however if you cannot make it to Amsterdam, pleas=
e contact below approved private attorney by e-mail to assist you with the =
release of your fund into your desired bank account or by check. Hendry Con=
sultancy E-mail: claimsrep@richardstoneenterprise.com Amsterdam, Netherland=
s. Please remember, all winnings must be claimed not later than 2 weeks fro=
m the day of Notification. After this claim duration, unclaimed funds will =
be null and void. In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, p=
lease remember to quote your Reference and Batch numbers in all corresponde=
nces. Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agen=
t as soon as possible. Congratulations once more from our members of staff =
and thank you for being part of our promotional program. Note: Anybody unde=
r the age of 18 is automatically disqualified. Best wishes, Mr. richard sto=
ne, Lotto Co-ordinator

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