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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: "The UK National Lottery Claims Department" <claimsdept006@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 04 Dec 2006 17:22:05 +0000
Subject: VERIFICATION AND CLEARANCE FORM



ATTENTION: Winner,
 
Congratulations once again from all the staff here. In order to verify your winnings, we need your particulars for record purposes. Attached here is a copy of our verifications form, please fill accordingly so as to proceed with your winnings. Once again congratulations from all the staff.
Upon receipt of the duly requested data, I will send you the contact information of the payments office so you can proceed with effecting the release of your claim in anyway you deem fit.
 
VERIFICATION AND CLEARANCE FORM

1. FULL NAMES:                                                                                
 
COMPANY NAME (IF APPLICABLE):                                                                       

2.ADDRESS:                                                                                      

3.SEX:                                 

4.AGE: 
              

5.MARITAL STATUS :                            

6.OCCUPATION                                            

7.E-MAIL ADDRESS:                             
8.TELEPHONE NUMBER(S):                                               FAX:                                  
9.DATE OF BIRTH:                                                
10. BATCH NUMBER                              B. REF NUMBER:                       

11.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY/INDIVIDUAL:                                                    
                                                        
 
12. AMOUNT WON:                                                                            

13. COUNTRY:                                    
 
14. PRIZE WINNING DETAILS (TICKET NO.):                   Serial NO.:                
 
 
 
NOTE: THIS VERIFICATION FORM SHOULD BE COMPLETELY FILLED OUT AND E- MAILED BACK TO ME WITHIN 72HOURS OF RECEIPT OF THIS FORM.

Best Regards,
Peter Edwards(Mr),
Claims/Verification Agent,
UK National Lottery.


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