419 scam: "Mr. Carl Allison Allison" <freelottopayoffice@yahoo.co.uk> DEAR WINNER,

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "processing fee" (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Carl Allison Allison" <freelottopayoffice@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2007 18:20:22 +0100 (BST)
Subject: DEAR WINNER,

DEAR WINNER,
SEND PAYMENT VIA WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANFER TO THE INFORMATION BELOW:

MICHAEL GRAM
LONDON UK

WE WILL PROCESS AND EFFECT THE TRANSFER OF YOUR 1,000,000.00GBP FUNDS TO YOUR NAMED ACCOUNT 48 HOURS AFTER CONFIRMATION OF THE INFORMATION OF PAYMENT OF THE PROCESSING FEE. WE HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.
FREELOTTO COMPANY
LONDON

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam