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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: "FACEBOOK AWARD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lotteryfacebook315@yahoo.it>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 08:32:44 -0800
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS FROM FACEBOOK!!!

FACEBOOK ONLINE INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY
FROM: THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT.
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD.
CATEGORY: 2ND
                                                              CONGRATULATIONS FROM FACEBOOK!!!
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the just concluded annual Final draws held on the (19th of January 2014)  by Facebook group in cash Promotion to encourage all Facebook users worldwide, your javascript:void(0) Name was among the 50 Lucky winners who won $6,00,000:00USD (Six Hundred United State Dollars) each on the Facebook group promotion Award Attached to ticket number (5647600545189) and Ref No (2551256002/244) Serial Number (55643451907).
 
The online draws was Conducted by a random selection of emails, you were picked by an Advanced automated random computer search from Facebook, the lottery program which is a new innovation by Facebook is aimed at saying A BIG THANK YOU to all our users for making Facebook their number one means to connect, communicate, relate and hook up with their families and friends over the years.
 
You are required to contact our dispatch dept via email ( facebookheadoffice@linuxmail.org  )  signifying your interest by providing the required information , your Name, Phone number for quick communication also your home address and country.
 
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in all correspondences. Furthermore, if there is any change in email address please contact us on time
 
Note: Do not reply to these FaceBook Account for security purpose reply to the payment department in charge and if you are not interested please do not bother to reply.
CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN FROM FACEBOOK!
Regards,
John Cole
Promo Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources: