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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: "MICROSOFT AWARD WINNING LOTTERY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <microsoftawardpromotiomoffice@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2017 13:53:01 -0400
Subject: Dear Lucky Winner, Congratulations!

Microsoft Award Team
Baley House,Har Road Sutton,
Greater London SMI 4te
United Kingdom
FILE REF: TN/7855/05/07/DINS
BATCH: KP23/857/NDL5 /EU
 
 
2017 MICROSOFT AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION.
 
 
Dear Lucky Winner,
 
We are pleased to inform you that your e-mail address has subsequently won you the sum of GBP950,000.00 (Nine Hundred and fifty Thousand Great Britain Pounds) which was attached to ticket number 765764651491-6319 with serial number 5147-179, batch number 7149087137, lottery ref number 5326847810 and drew lucky numbers 7-18-26-33-45-51 in our recent concluded MICROSOFT AWARD LOTTERY PROMOTION.
The Microsoft internet E-mail draw is held periodically and is organized to encourage the use of the Internet and promote computer literacy worldwide.
 
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
 
Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money Remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.
 
All participants for the draws were randomly selected and drawn from a wide range of web hosts all over the world of which you email address emerge as one of the lottery award winner.
 
You are to send down your Claims Requirements and your option of Remittance/Mode of Collection
 
 
CLAIMS REQUIREMENTS:
 
1. Full names: ...........................
2. Residential address: ....................
3. Phone number:.................
4. Fax number: .................
5. Occupation: ..................
6. Sex:....................
7. Age:.......................
8. Nationality:.......................
9. Present Country:........................
10.Next of kin name/address:................
11.How Do you Feel As winner:.................
Scan Copy of your International Passport:...............
 
 
Mode of Price Remittance/Mode of Collection.
 
(1) Through Bank to Bank Wire transfer
 
(2)Through A Courier Delivery of Your Certified Winning Cheque.
 
 
The Microsoft Internet E-mail lottery Awards is sponsored by our CEO/Chairman, Bill Gates and a consortium of software promotion companies. The Intel Group, Toshiba, Dell Computers and other International Companies. The Microsoft internet E-mail draw is held periodically and is organized to encourage the use of the Internet and promote computer literacy worldwide.
 
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
 
Once again on behalf of all our staff, CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN!
 
Yours Sincerely,
Michael Rodwell,
MICROSOFT AWARDPROMOTION ZONAL COORDINATOR.
 

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