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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: Microsoft Notification<info@microsoft.co.uk>
Reply-To: claims_dept@126.com
Date: Mon, 05 Oct 2015 00:53:34 +0800
Subject: Dear Lucky Winner

Dear Lucky Winner ,
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Microsoft Online season Winners International programs held on the 29th September,2015. Your E-mail address attached to ticket no#:538-6064-15 with prize no#:52-418-042, drew $5,500,000.00 which was in the 2nd category of the draws. You are to receive $5,500,000.00 (Five Million,Five Hundred Thousand Pounds).This program is in conjunction with British Asia and European Governments and the Microsoft Award International.For claim of Prize,please forward to us 1.Name: 2.Address 3.Age: 4.Sex: 5.Phone: 6.Country:7:Ticket Number and Prize Number:

Congratulation once again from the Microsoft Online Award Department.

Yours in service,
Mrs.Annabel Johnson.
Email: claims_dept@126.com
Microsoft Lottery Co-ordinator

Anti-fraud resources: