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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: "Larry edward" <mr_larry_edward02@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 15:40:24 +0000
Subject: WINPRO WINNING NOTIFICATION!!

DATE: 30TH OF MAY 2005

FROM: THE DESK OF THE VICE PRESIDENT.

WORLD INTERNATIONAL NATIONAL PROMOTIONS ORGANIZATION PRIZE/AWARD.

BATCH: EGS/ 22504002/03: REFERENCE: 15/0018/IPD

ATTENTION: CONGRATULATIONS!

RE: PRIZE/AWARD NOTIFICATION.

This is to inform you of the release of WORLD INTERNATIONAL NATIONAL
PROMOTIONS ORGANIZATION PRIZE DRAW, held on the 5th of April 2004, but owing
to some mix up of numbers and addresses and the holidays, the results were
released on the 21st of December 2004.

Your name was attached to ticket number 085-12876077-09 with serial number
51390-0 that drew the lucky numbers of 03-05-12-14-28-38, which consequently
won the lottery in the 5th category. You have therefore beenapproved for a
lump sum pay of 2.000,000.00. (TWO MILLION BRITISH POUNDS ONLY), in cash
credited to file with REF: N.EGS/3662367114/13. This is from a total cash
prize of 70,020.225.00, shared among the twenty-five international winners
in this category.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Your fund is now deposited with our Bank/Security Company and insured in
your name. Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keepthis
award from public notice until your claim has been processed, and the money
remitted to your account, as this is part of our security protocol, to avoid
double claiming and unwarranted taking of advantage of this program by
participants, as has happened in the past.

All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from
25,000 names, email addresses & official addresses, from Asia, Australia,
New Zealand, Europe, North and South America, Middle East and Africa, as
part of our International Promotions Program.

We hope your lucky name will draw a bigger cash prize in the subsequent
programs. To begin your lottery claims, please contact our Co-ordinator,
MR.WILLIAMS WALTER, EMAIL: mr_williams_walter1@hotmail.com

Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than 30th of June 2005.
Any claim not made by this date will be returned to HER MAJESTYS DEPARTMENT
OF THE TREASURY. And also be informed that 10% of your lottery winning
belongs to (THE PROMOTIONS COMPANY). Because they are the company that
bought your ticket and played the lottery in your name.

Note also that this 10% will be remitted after you have received your
winnings prize, because the money is insured in your name already.

NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please
remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in all correspondences
with us, Furthermore, should there be any change of address, please do
inform our Co-ordinator as soon possible.

An original copy of your lucky winning ticket and your deposit certificate
will be sent to you by Administrative Remittance Operation Manager of
Bankers Bank Inc London-United Kingdom.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Once again from all members of our staff and thank you
for being a part of our International Promotions program.

We wish you continued good fortunes.

Sincerely,

DR. LARRY EDWARDS.
VICE PRESIDENT



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