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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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Fraud email example:

From: "1INTERNETDRIVE INCORPORATION" <automaildrive@netscape.net> (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2004 15:08:02 -0800
Subject: 1INTERNETDRIVE INCORPORATION

1INTERNETDRIVE INCORPORATION
Kinderweg, 3496AB ,Amsterdam, The Netherlands
EMAIL: information@1internetdrive.com
FROM:THE DESK OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR,
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD DEPT,
REF: PC 390 ES 214
WINNING CODE : PCP 002 871

ATTN:WINNER,

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs held on the 16 /12 /2004.Your e-mail address attached to winning code : PCP 002 871 with Ref :PC 390 ES 214, which consequently won in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$555,800.000 (Five Hundred and Fifty Five Thousand,Eight Hundred United States Dollars)

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 and also safe guarding both our firm and winners from fraudulent practices.All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 20,000 company and 30,000,000 individual email addresses and names from all over the world. This promotional program takes place
every three years.

This lottery was promoted and sponsored by , E-business Companies .To file for your claim, please contact our office for any assistance necessary.Note your fudicial processing and legal aid is :

Mr.Gibson Frost[Esq] (Legal Director)
legaldepartment@1internetdrive.com
Remember, all winning must be claimed not later than 6 weeks from the date of reciept of notification. After this date all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake. Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your reference number and winning code in all correspondence. Furthermore, should there be any change of address do inform the legal director.Congratulations once more from our
members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.

Sincerely yours,

Mrs Anne Hunt [Logistics]

NOTE: THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC MAILING SYSTEM AND MAILS MUST NOT BE
RESPONDED TO THIS ADDRESS. RESPOND TO THE COMPANY'S EMAIL DIRECT OR CONTACT THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.AGAIN CONGRATULATIONS.





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