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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: "Microsoft" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <prize@mcstawards.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2012 09:53:42 +0200
Subject: Final Award Notification!

29TH FEBRUARY 2012
YOU ARE THE WINNER OF THE
COMPUTER PROMOTIONAL DRAW
 
MICROSOFT ONLINE PROMOTIONS
YOU HAVE WON ON THE COMPUTER BALLOT,
THE SUM OF 2,729,000.00
 
PLEASE CONTACT
(MR. JOHN EVANS)
YOUR CLAIMS DEPARTMENT FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE PAYMENT
ON PHONE +44-792-458-5889
Email: prize@mcstawards.com
Website:http://mcstawards.com
 
PRIZE AWARD NOTIFICATION!!!
 
We are pleased to inform you of the announcement made today 29th Februay
2012, of winners of the MICROSOFT AWARD PROMOTIONS, as part of our
promotional draws HELD ON 16TH OF FEBRUARY 2012.
 
Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from
2,500,000.00 email addresses of Individuals and Companies from all part
of the world as part of our Electronic Business Promotions Program.
 
Note that your email address qualified for the draw, as a result of
your visiting various websites we are running the e-business promotions
for. You/Your Company email address, attached to Ticket Number 242 67
33 38 7 43 51, with serial number 7777/06 drew the Lucky Numbers
4-43-33-38-21 POP 21 and Bonus number 3 and consequently YOU HAVE won
in the Second Category.
 
You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of
2,729,000.00 (Two Million,Seven Hundred and Twenty Nine Thousand Great
British Pounds Sterling) in cash credited to file MAP/3123/02/11. This is
from a total cash  prize of 13,645.000.00 Thirteen Million,Six Hundred
and Forty Five Thousand Great British Pounds sterling ),
shared amongst five (5)Lucky Winners in 4th category.
 
To begin your claim, urgently contact your claim Department through the
above Information:
 
NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please
remember to quote your reference and batch numbers and other
information provided above and below in every one of your
correspondences with your Claims Department.
 
Congratulations'' once again from all our staff and thank you for being
part of our promotions program.
 
Yours Truly,
Mrs. Rachael T. Ruben
Promotions Manager
Microsoft Award Promotions
153 Barlow Moor Road,
West Didsbury - M20 2YA,
Manchester,
United Kingdom.
© 2012 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved

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