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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: "Jack Harold" <claimsofficer@mswordpromotions.com>
Date: Tue, 08 Feb 2005 01:30:41 +0000
Subject: ATTENTION: REF: MSW-L/200-334841

ATTENTION: REF: MSW-L/200-334841

I am MR Jack Harold the fiduciary agent assigned to your case. I wish to
Congratulate you on your

victory,you are a lucky person to have won this lottery. Your email address
was chosen this quarter from our new java-based software promotion that
randomly selects email addresses from the web from which winners are
selected. You are required to forward the following details to help
facilitate the processing of your claims and certificate to enable the
release of your winnings.

1. Full names.
2. Residential address.
3. Phone number.
4. Fax number.
5. Occupation.
6. Sex.
7. Age.
8. Nationality.

You are adviced to forward these informations as soon as possible to enable
us attend to your file.Please note that your funds have been deposited
safely in a security firm in Europe,and your information will be forwarded
to them before they can release your winnings. After you have sent down
these information, a certificate will be prepared for you. This is to be
your proof of winning from this office to the payment center before they
release your funds.You are adviced to keep your winning numbers to yourself
to avoid unscripulous elements from taking advantage of the situation.


Once again, congratulations.

Regards,

Jack Harold.

........................................................................................................................................................................
This email and its attachments are confidential and intended for the
exclusive use of the addressee(s). This email and its attachments may also
be privileged or protected by legal rules. If you have received this by
mistake please let us know by reply immediately and destroy the email and
its attachments without reading, copying or forwarding the contents.


Anti-fraud resources: