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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "favourlottery2@go.com" <favourlottery2@go.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2005 13:56:01 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: YOU HAVE WON!!!


FAVOUR LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL BV ESCAMPLAAN 315 2105 KH DEN-HAAG, THE NETHERLANDS. ATTN: We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today 20th October 2005 of winners of the FAVOUR PROMOTION LOTTERY NETHERLANDS /INTERNATIONAL, PROGRAMS held on 15th of october 2005. Your email address attached to ticket number 21-134411314, drew the lucky numbers 11-10-20-13, batch number 6709/NL and consequently won the lottery in the 1st category. You have therefore been approved of a lump sum pay out of (?500,OOO:00) FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND EURO ONLY in credited to file LOTTERY REF NO. SGIL/312128 This is from total prize money of EURO 30,000,000.00 shared among the seventeen international winners in categories B with serial number: RO/PR/11-C0225201. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn form 15,000 company email addresses and 30,000,000 individual email addresses from Australia,Africa, New Zealand, America, Europe, North America and Asia as part of International Promotions Program, which is conducted annually. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your fund is now in custody of a Security company insured in your FILE REFERENCE. Due to the mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this award strictly from public notice until your Claim has been processed and your money remitted to your account.This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by participants of this program. This lottery program was promoted by our group of philanthropist headed by the Netherlands Government. We hope with a part of you prize, you Will participate in our end of year high stakes (?5,000,000.00) Five Million Euro, International Lottery. To begin your claim, please contact your file/claim Officer: MR. BARRY HOOK FOREIGN SERVICE MANAGER DEN HAAG, THE NETHERLANDS TEL:+31-612-283-855 EMAIL:favourlottery@netscape.net Please be informed that NON RESIDENCE of THE NETHERLANDS will be required to make a NON DEDUCTABLE advance payment of processment and legal documentation charges of (?998 .10 Cent) Nine Hundred And Ninety Eight Euro Ten Cent, to enable our legal department acquire Notorisation papers from the Court prior to award payment policy as required by the paying Securiry Company. Please be aware that your Paying Authority will Effect Payment Swiftly upon satisfactory Report, Verifications and validation provided by our Processing Agent; that would be designated to your file. For due processment and remittance of your winning prize to your designated account of your choice. Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than 31th of October 2005. After this date, all funds will be returned as unclaimed. NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference.And batch numbers in every one of your correspondences with your agent. Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform your claims agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once again from our team of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program. Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is AUTOMATICALY DISQUALIFIED. And batch numbers in every one of your correspondences with your agent. Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform your claims agent as soon as possible. Congratulations once again from our team of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program. Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is AUTOMATICALYDISQUALIFIED. Yours sincerely, Mrs.Rita Van De Muller (Lottery Coordinator)

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