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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: "omega lottery" <omega_lo31@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:10:34 +0000
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS!

                               CONGRATULATIONS!
FROM: THE DESK OF FOREIGN SERVICE MANAGER MR RICHARD BALOYI.
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/ PROCESSING PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT.
 
We are pleased to inform you of the announcement  of winners of the GLOBAL MEGA LOTTERY SOUTH AFRICA/INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS, held on 11/ 03/ 2005 as part of our promotional draws. Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 2,500,000 email addresses of individuals and companies from Africa, America,Asia,Australia, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and NewZealand as part of our electronic business PromotionsProgram. You qualified for the draw as a result of you visiting various websites we are running the e-business promotions for.You/Your Company, attached to ticket number : 700-45309-7482, with serial number:515-10-29080 drew the lucky numbers 12, 19, 29, 30, 37, 40+01 and consequently won in the Second Category.You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$1.950.000.00 One Million Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars in cash, which is the winning payout for Second category winners. This is from the total prize money of US$7.8 million shared among the four international winners in the Second category.
 
                                         CONGRATULATIONS!
 
I am Mr.RICHARD BALOYI the fiduciary agent assigned to your case I wish to Congratulate you on your victory, you are a lucky person to have won this lottery. You are required to forward the following details to help facilitate the processing of your claims and certificate which will facilitate the Your winning price is to the tune of 1.950.000.00 One Million Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars.
 
1. Full names.
2. Phone number.
3. Fax number.
4. Occupation.
5. Sex.
6. Age.
7. Nationality.
 
You are advised to forward this information as soon as possible to enable us attend to your winnings. Our firm has been contracted to handle payments on your behalf, once we confirm your information, your payments would be processed . Everything was done in such a way that our payments mode would meet the standards set by the Lottery boards.After you have sent down these information, a certificate will be prepared for you. This is to be your proof of winning from this office to the payment center before they release your funds.
 
Be advised that your winnings would be paid to you in Four(4) installments This is done because of the amount won by you. This money would be paid to you on instalmental basis via the Correspondent Bank of the Lottery promoters. You are advised to keep your winning numbers secret to avoid unscrupulous elements from taking advantage of the situation.

Once again, congratulations. Your fund is now deposited with the Global mega lottery/ Finance and Company insured in your name. Due to the mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep this awar 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. We hope with a part of your prize, you will participate in our mid year (2005) high stakes US$1.3 billion International Lottery.To begin your claim, please contact your .
 
MR. RICHARD BALOYI
FOREIGN SERVICE MANAGER,
AllStates Buildiing, 
234, Woodmead Street,
9Th Floor Unit 999 
Johannesburg
South Africa.

TEL:27-833-415587

Contact the claim agent immediately; For due processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated account of your choice. Remember, you must contact your claim agent as soon as possible. After this date, all funds will be returned as unclaimed. In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference and batch numbers provided below in every one of your correspondences with your claims agent. REFERENCE NUMBER:GLOR-39-4025-P, BATCH NUMBER: 7490-26004-ZZA. Congratulations once again
                                       CONGRATULATIONS! 


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