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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: lotteryintl005@executivemail.co.za
Date: Fri, 05 Aug 2005 02:14:14 +0200
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS, CLAIM YOUR WINNINGS

LOTTERY STAKES INTERNATIONAL,
148 RIVONIA ROAD,
PLOT: 328 REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA.

REF NUMBER:OSL/653/! 029/03
BATCH NUMBER:AT-040-SB06-03

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

DEAR WINNER

We are pleased to inform you, that as a result of our recent lottery draw Held on 29 JULY, 2005. Your email address attached to ticket number 27522465896-532 with serial number 652-662 drew lucky number
7-14-18-23-31-45, which consequently won 2nd category. You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of R15, 000,000.00 (FIFTEEN MILLION SOUTH AFRICAN RAND).

PLEASE NOTE:

ALL participants in this lottery program have been selected randomly through a computer ballot system drawn from over 60,000 companies and 100,000,000 Individual email addresses from all search engines and web
Sites. This promotional program takes place every year, and is promoted and sponsored by eminent personalities and several other corporate organizations. This is to encourage the use of the Internet and computers worldwide. For security purpose and clarity, we advise that you keep your winning information confidential until your
claims have been processed and your money remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claims and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.

We look forward to your active participation in this year RAND50 Million slot. You are requested to contact our clearance officer below to assist you with your winning and subsequent payments. All winnings must be
claim not later than one month after the date of this notice.

Also note, in order to avoid unnecessary delay and complications remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all Correspondences.

Furthermore, should there be any change of addresses do inform our agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once more and thank you for being part of our promotional program.

NOTE; YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED IF YOU ARE BELOW 25 YEARS OF AGE.

Sincerely yours,

Mr. Fredrick Jacobson
(Promotions/Claims Manager)

TEL: 27 839 820 957
FAX: 27 837 697 560

Anti-fraud resources: