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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: "NATIONAL-LOTTERY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benedictkhumalo@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2015 05:38:14 -0800
Subject: YOU WON

Congratulations! Congratulations!! Congratulations!!!

Uthingo National Lottery of South Africa announce you today the Lucky winner of the international draw for the month of January 2015.

Emails were picked up randomely based on the world list directory of Names and email addresses of individuals from the countries that supported the funeral of our Late great leader Nelson Mandela and your Email drew as the winning Email for the Category "A" draw, with Ref. Number: PF23-711W-9, Batch No: 46-184-WAN and serial NO:215-18. Amount Won on Categgory "A" Draw: US$5.5Million.

You are advised to come forward for immediate claim. Start processing your claim by contacting the Verification officer Dr. Benedict Khumalo (Email: benedictkhumalo@yahoo.com) wit your: Names, Physical Address,Telephone number, and copy of this notification. Your Email is already Noted in our system.

Thank you.

Betty Brigs (PRO/Notification Officer Uthingo National Lottery South Africa)

Anti-fraud resources: