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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: SWISS EMAIL LOTTERY ONLINE GAMES PROMOTI <swisslottoonlinegames@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 01 Nov 2006 16:35:38 -0600
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!!.....YOU HAVE WON THE SWISS LOTTERY EMAIL GAMES

Swisslotto
SWISS LOTTO,
Van Limburg Stirumstraat 40,
2316 TS, Leiden, Nederlands.
 
       CONGRATULATIONS!!!.....YOU HAVE WON € 850,000 Euros
 
You have been awarded €850,000 Euros in the SWISS-LOTTO Satellite Software email lottery in which e-mail addresses are picked randomly by Software powered by the internet through the worldwide website.
 
Your email address was amongst those chosen this year for the SWISS LOTTO Satellite lottery. And this promo is proudly sponsored by the SWISS-LOTTO UK organization.
 
You can log on to our website for more information concerning our
Entire lottery promo https://www.swisslotto.ch
 
Your email address, attached to Ref number 5, 7, 14, 17, 18, 43 with Serial number 1979-12 drew the lucky Numbers 10, and consequently won the lottery in the "A" Category. You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of €850,000 Euros.
 
Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our European Booklet representative office in Europe as indicated in your play coupon. In View of this, your €850,000 Euros will be released to you by our security firm in Europe. Our European agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact them.
 
All participants were selected randomly from World Wide Web site through computer draw System and extracted from over 300,000 companies and individual email addresses.
 
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 part of our precautionary measure to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some unscrupulous elements.
 
To file for your claim, please contact our fiduciary agent:
Mr. Robert Wilson
Tel: 31-64-491-5980
 
Provide him with the information below:
1. Name:
2. Address:
3. Marital Status:
4. Occupation:
5. Age:
6. Sex:
7. Nationality:
8. Country of Residence:
9. Telephone Number:
10. Fax Number:
11. Draw Number above:
 
This information facilitate the due process of the release of winnings avoid unnecessary delays and complications in the processing of your winnings.
 
Always remember to quote your Reference / serial number in any correspondences with us or our designated agent.
 
Congratulations once more from all members and staff of this program and Thank you for being part of our promotional lottery program.
 
Sincerely,
Mr. Hansen Williem
Online Games Director
SWISS LOTTO NEDERLANDS.
Van Limburg Stirumstraat 40,
2316 TS, Leiden, Nederland.
 
N: B - PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL CORRESPONDENT WILL BE TEMPORARILY BE VIA EMAIL UNTIL 24 HOURS BEFORE PAY-OUT THEN YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED VIA TELEPHONE


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