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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: "DR RICHARD LARRY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drrichardlarry@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2015 01:19:29 -0700
Subject: YOUR FUND HAS BEEN APPROVED TO BE RELEASED

UK-LOTTO ORGANIZATION
Ticket Free/Online Winnings and Notification
Department
Online winnings dept.
Ref Number: UK/9420X2/68
Batch Number: 074/05/ZY369
Telephone: +447011140355
 
YOUR WINNINGS NOTIFICATION OF US$4.2M
 
We happily announce to you the draw of the Uk-Lotto Sweepstake Lottery International programs held in Bangkok-Thailand on the 25th of January, 2016.Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 56475600545 188 with Serial number 5368/02 drew the lucky numbers:07-12-23-26-29-44 which subsequently won you the lottery in the first category. You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of 2,367,834(Two million, three hundred and sixty seven thousand, eight hundred and thirty four British Pounds sterling) which is approximately USD4.2m, from total cash prize of 23,678,340 was shared amongst the first Ten (10) lucky winners in this category.
 
All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web site through computer draw system and extracted from over 100,000 companies.
The World Pak Express Courier has been given the Contract to deliver all our winners cheque to the address of the respective winners.
 
WORLD PAK EXPRESS COURIER COMPANY LTD IN THAILAND.
Contact Agent: Mr.Michael Leo (Director of Operations and Logistics)
Email address :mr.michaelleo@gmail.com
 
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please quote your full names, telephone number, Age and occupation, Winnings numbers [such as batch,ref,serial and lucky winning number],your country and address where you want to receive your winnings cheque in your contact mail to Mr.Michael Leo
 
Congratulations once more from all members and staffs of this program and thank you for being part of our promotional lottery program. For safety measures and to avoid fraudulent claims you are advised to keep all about your winnings information and notification confidential and away from all third parties till your check arrives your address.
Online coordinate
Director for UK NATIONAL LOTTERY,
Mr.James Larry ,
Online Co-coordinator/Notification Officer
Sweepstakes International Program.
Telephone: +447011140355

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