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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: "Free Lotto" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <freelottoclaimscenter@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2015 10:21:07 +0200
Subject: Re: FreeLotto® lottery'

We happily announce to you the draw of FreeLotto® online Sweepstakes International program held this year 2015.
You have won 10,000,000 in cash and prize (10 Million USD ) from FreeLotto® online Sweepstakes draw 2015.
Your Email Identity was one of the selected email all over the world in the lottery draw and it comes out one of the lucky winning number. You are to contact claims Officer via email below for claims procedures.

Mr Joseph Carl
Email: freelottoclaimscenter@gmail.com

Congratulations!! Once again.

Yours in service,
[Publicity Secretary]

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Anti-fraud resources: