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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: "British Lottery International" <btlonline_104@msn.com>
Reply-To: l_banks1@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2005 05:32:15 +0000
Subject: PRIZE NOTIFICATION!!!

British Flag

British Lottery Headquarters:
Customer Service
28 TANFIELD ROAD,
CROYDON.LONDON

 


  Ref: BTL/491OXI/04
  Batch: 12/25/0304


 

 WINNING NOTIFICATION
                                             
We happily announce to you the draw of the British
Lottery International programs held on the 1st of
October 2005 in London. Your e-mail address attached
to ticket number: 564 75600545-188 with serial number
5388/02 drew the lucky numbers: 31-6-26-13-35-7,which
subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd
category.
 
You have therefore been approved to claim a
total sum of US$2,500,000.00(Two million, five hundred
thousand, United States Dollars) in cash credited to
file RPC/9080118308/04 made available from a total
cash prize of US $125 Million dollars, shared amongst
the first Fifty (50) lucky winners in this category.
This years Lottery Program Jackpot is the largest ever
for British Lottery .The estimated $125 million
jackpot would be the sixth-biggest in U.K. history. The
biggest was the $363 million jackpot that went to two
winners in a May 2000 draw of The Big Game, Mega
Millions' predecessor.
 
Please note that your lucky winning number falls
within our booklet representative office in Europe as
indicated in our play coupon. In view of this, your
US$2,500,000.00 (Two million, five hundred
thousand, United States Dollars) would be released to
you by our affiliate bank in London. Our agent will
immediately commence the facilitation of release of
funds to you as soon as you establish contact.
 
All participants were selected randomly from world
wide web sites through a computer drawn system and
extracted from over 100,000 companies. This promotion
takes place annually. For security
This is part of precautionary measures to avoid double
claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some
unscrupulous elements.

 

Please be warned. To file for your claim, please
contact our fiduciary agent with the below details for
processing of your claims.
 
AGENT: Mr. Leroy Banks

Email: l_banks3@hotmail.co.uk 
 
To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please
quote your reference/batch numbers in any
correspondences with us or our designated
agent. Congratulations once more from all members and
staff of this program. Thank you for being part of our
promotional lottery program.
 
Sincerely,
 
Mr. Michael Ronin
 
Zonal Coordinator.

 

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