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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: "EuroMillion Lottery Spain" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <euromillionspain1@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 2015 12:39:08 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
You Won 537,870.00 Euros (five hundred thirty-seven thousand, eight hundred seventy Euros)
 
Dear Lucky Winner,
 
We are pleased to inform you that your email was selected among the winning numbers of the recently lotto conducted from the Euro-Million Lottery Company, and we shall be glad if you can claim your prize immediately,
 
On behalf of the European Union in affiliation with Euro-Million Lottery Board for Global Economic Crisis eradication, we wish to notify you that your E-mail Address has won You Won 537,870.00 Euros (Five Hundred Thirty-Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred Seventy Euros) in cash credited to file REF.Nš: EPS/S/537/171/870EUR at the end of the month lottery promo.
 
For security reasons and to avoid misappropriation of funds, proper verifications must be carried out before the fund is transferred to you. Provide the details below for the verification on your claim.
 
Receiver's Full Name:
Receiver's Full Address:
Receiver's Country:
Receiver's Telephone Number:
 
Note: You were selected as a winner of Euro-Million Lottery Jackpot, and we are advising you to use the funds wisely. However, we need your information as stated above to commence the transaction due to process and remittance of your prize money, remember you must contact your claim agent by replying to this email or all funds will be returned as unclaimed.
 
Sincerely,
District Manager
Euro-Million Customer Care
Euro-Million Spanish District
Online Lottery Org

Anti-fraud resources: