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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: mrs janet smith <mrsjanetmith@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: mrs janet smith <kennethco865@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 09:06:29 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: YOU VE WON OUR LOTTERY PROMOTION (CONGRATULATIONS)


FROM: UNIVERSAL LOTTERY PROMO INTERNATIONALGENEVA, SWITZERLAND.REF NUMBER: OSL/653/029/03BATCH NUMBER: AT-040-SB06-03
Dear : Sir/Ma
WE ARE PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT AS A RESULT OF OUR RECENT LOTTERY DRAWS HELD ON THE 22ND OF JANUARY 2015.
Your e-mail address attached to ticket number 27522465896-532 with serial number 652-662 drew lucky numbers 7-14-18-23-31-45 which consequently won in the 2nd category. you 
have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of $1,000,000 (ONE MILLION DOLLARS) Note that All participants in this lottery program have been selected randomly through a 
computer ballot system drawn from over 20,000 companies and 30,000,000 individual email addresses from all search engines and web sites.
This promotional program takes place every year, and is promoted and sponsored by eminent personalities like the Sultan of Brunei, bill gates of Microsoft inc and other corporate 
organization. this is to encourage the use of the internet and computers worldwide.
For security purpose and clarity, we advise that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims have been processed and your money remitted to you.This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claims and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. We look forward to your active participation in our next year USD50 
million slot.
To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent MR KENNETH COLE  E-mail address: (kennethco865@gmail.com) Remember,all winnings must be claimed not later than one month 
After the date of this notice.
Please note, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence.
Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform our agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once more and thank you for being part of our promotional program.
NOTE: YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED IF YOU ARE BELOW 18 YEARS OF AGE.
However,to enable our account department proceed with the processing of your cheque you are required to fill the required details:
USE CAPITAL LETTERS ONLY.
Full names:Next of kin:Contact address details:Sex:Phone (House no& mobile phone) and fax numbers:Age:Company name:Profession:Nationality:Contact address details where your wish your chequeposted to:Brief description of your company and individual:Date:
I.................................................here by duly declare that i have not claimed any fund from THE UNIVERSAL LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL COMPANY before,and will abide with the 
procedures for my fund release.
NOTICE:The above details will be documented in our database to avoid double claiming,or claim from any unscrupulous individual. We will inform you on further procedures,immediately we received 
your data.Our regional payment centers where you will be zoned will be posting your cheque to your designated address you will be forwarding to us.
Thanks for your usual co-operation.
Sincerely yours,Mrs Janet Smith(LOTTERY COORDINATOR)GENEVA, SWITZERLANDNB:Please use the above email when sending your reply.


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