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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® CORPORATION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fwilliams8080@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:52:57 +0100
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU FROM MICROSOFT® CORPORATION

MICROSOFT® CORPORATION BOARD
{UK. Regional Office}
Building, 40 Ryecroft Way,
Stopsley London,
United Kingdom.
 
 
Winner No: 013,
 
 
Microsoft Corporation wish to notify all online customers as we celebrates the 36th year anniversary 2011; and also to inform you that you have emerged one of the beneficiary Selected in this ongoing 36th Anniversary Program in conjunction with the Foundation of Software Products (F.S.P.) The Microsoft internet E-mail draw is held periodically and is organized to encourage the users  of the Internet and promote computer literacy worldwide.
 
 
A Cheque will be issued in your name by Microsoft Corporation Board UK (MCSP), you have therefore won the total sum of £850, 000, 00(Eight Hundred And Fifty thousand Great British Pounds Sterling) which consequently won in the 2nd category.
 
 
Contact: Dr. Fred Williams 
Via
Email: ( fwilliams8080@yahoo.com )
Phone: +44 702 408 6841
 
Provide below information for validation of your prize
 
 
.Residential Address:
.Tel:
.Nationality/Country:
.Full Name:
.Age/Sex:
.Occupation/Position:
.What is Your comment On Microsoft Products?
 
 
 
Note: your award security information (Data File Number: UK/9420X2/68, Ref.Code:0087955827499, Grant Number: MSC/0080648302/07)
 
 
To file for your claim, Please contact your Validating Officer for VALIDATION of your winning within Twenty-nine working days of this winning notification. Winnings that are not validated within Twenty-nine working days of winning notification are termed void and invalid.
 
 
The Microsoft Internet E-mail lottery Awards is sponsored by our  CEO/Chairman,Bill Gates and a consortium of software promotion companies.
 
 
Congratulations from the Staffs & Members of Microsoft Board Commission.
 
 
©2011 Microsoft Corporation®

Anti-fraud resources: