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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: payoutpay@mchsi.com (Lottery Sweepstakes Promotion)
Date: Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:38:45 +0000
Subject: !!! NOTIFICATION OF WINNING!!!

!!! NOTIFICATION OF WINNING!!!

PRIZE AWARD DEPT. REF No: 9590 ES 9414
BATCH No: 573881545-NL/2007
TICKET No:34090322816
Draw Lucky Numbers:801-711-040

ATTN: LOTTERY WINNER,
We wish to congratulate you of the result of the Euro Million Lottery
(international program) balloting sweepstake held on the 4th July 2007. This
is a millennium scientific computergame in which email addresses were used. It
is a promotional program aimed at encouraging internet users,therefore you do
not need to buy ticket to enter for it. You have been approved for the star
prize of €1,000,000.00 (One Million Euros).To claim your winning prize you are
to contact the appointed agent as soon as possible for the immediate release
of your winnings.
You must contact the PAYING BANK with your Full Name, Contact
Telephone Numbers (Home, Office and Mobile Number and also Fax Number)
and also with your winning informations via email to process the
immediate payment of your prize.The Validity period of the winnings
is for 30 working days hence you are expected to make your
claims immediately, any claim not made before this date will be
returned to the Euro Million Lottery board.Contact the paying
bank with the following information below:

Ms.Rosa Fernandez
Departmento De Operation,
Banco Cetelem
C/Adve.De Los Plazas 23,Madrid,Spain
Contact E-mail Address: cservivce@aim.com
TEL: 0034 634 005 139
FAX: 0034 912 72 51 45
Congratulations once again.
Yours in service,
Sr.Juan J.Carlos
Lottery Coordinator

Anti-fraud resources: