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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: "LOTTERY WINNINGS ADMIN." <uknationallotto2005result@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: claimagent_admin_department@lycos.co.uk
Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 02:11:48 +0000
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION

Capital Lottery
POST CODE 888
1102 MG  
Amsterdam NL
Office
Date: 20-10-2005.
(Customer Services)
Ref: UK/9420X2/68
Batch: 074/05/ZY369
                                                         WINNING NOTIFICATION:
We happily announce to you the draw of the British Lottery International programs held on the 20th October 2005 in Amsterdam. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 56475600545 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 are therefore, been approved to claim a total sum of US$1,500,000.00 (One million, five hundred thousand, United States Dollars) in cash.
This is from a total cash prize of US $125 Million dollars, shared amongst the first Fifty (50) lucky winners in this category. This year 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 $363million jackpot that went to two winners in a May 2000 drawing of. The Big Game, Mega Millions' predecessor. Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European booklet representative office in Europe as indicated in our play coupon. In view of this, your US$1,500,000.00 (One million, five hundred thousand, United States Dollars) would be released to you by our correspondence bank in Netherlands.
Our agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds to you as soon as you make contact with her; all participants were selected randomly from World Wide Website through computer draw system and extracted from over100, 000 companies.
This promotion takes place annually. For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you in whatever manner you deem fit to claim your prize. This is a part of our precautionary measure 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. Robin Van Jol.
Email: robv_jol@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: +31-617-644-959
Toll Free Number: 08000234043
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 staffs of this program. Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery program. Good luck from me and members of staff of the UK CAPITAL LOTTERY.
Yours faithfully,
Richard K. Lloyd
Online coordinator for UK CAPITAL LOTTERY Sweepstakes International Program
  
Note: To enhance the processing of your claim by your processing officer, you are advised to officially introduce yourself to the claim agent and also provide them with your valid means of your personal identification with a copy of this awards notification for references. Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.
*******************************************

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