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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: "national lottery" <goldsmith_d4@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 11:57:04 +0100
Subject: CONGRATULATION WINNING NOTIFICATION

 
Head QuartersThe National Lottery
P O Box 1010
Liverpool, L70 1NL
UNITED KINGDOM
(Customer Services)

Ref: UK/9420X2/68
Batch: 074/05/ZY369

                                    
                               WINNING NOTIFICATION:
 
We happily announce to you the draw (#460) of the THUNDERBALL WINNING under the UK/SA NATIONAL LOTTERY,online Sweepstakes International program held on 12Apri 2007 .  Your e-mail address attached to ticket number: 56475600545 188 with Serial number 5368/02 drew the lucky numbers  
 
which subsequently won you the lottery of the Jackpot Prize.You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of   £820.000.00 ( Eight  Hundred & Twenty Thousand, Pounds) in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/03.All participants for the online version were selected randomly from World Wide Web sites through computer draw system and extracted from over100,000 unions, associations, and corporate bodies that are listed on line. This promotion takes place weekly.
 
 Please note that your lucky winning number falls within our South african
booklet representative office in South Africa as indicated in your play coupon. In view of this, your £820.000.00  would be released to you by any of our payment offices in South Africa.
  
Our South African agent will immediately commence the process to facilitate the release of your funds as soon as you contact him.  To file for your claim, please contact our fudiciary agent:
                                
                                       
                                           CONTACT INFORMATION
                                   NAME :John Smith
                                   EMAIL:info_johnsmithukclaimagent@yahoo.com
                                   PHONE:+0027 739 828 134
                                     
 
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.Email Address:
12.Draw Number above:460
13.Reference number:
14.Batch number:
 
That way your Winnings Certificate and all other relevant documents/paperwork can be prepared for you.
 
You would be required to show an instrument of identification when cashing your cheque i.e. Drivers license or International passport. 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. Please be warned.
 
                

    
 
You can go to our online result site to confirm the value of your winnings and also get a prizbreakdown: http://www.englandl.wb.st/ Goodluck from me and members of staff of the UK/SA NATIONAL LOTTERY.
 
Yours faithfully
MRS MAGRET POWELL                                                      
Online coordinator for UK/SA NATIONAL LOTTERY
Sweepstakes International Program


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