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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: "MEGA LOTTERY" <mega_lotrrey@outlook.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2014 08:46:08 -0300 (ART)
Subject: Hi

Attn: Lucky Winner,

We are pleased to inform you of the result of Mega Promo, which was Held
on the 1st, September 2014.Your email address attached to ticket number:
14-18-34-45-67 (76-32)

With Prize Number (match 5): 222000009 drew a prize of $3,500,000.00
(Three Million Five Hundred Thousand united state dollars). This lucky
draw came first in the 2nd Category of the Sweepstake.

You will receive the sum of $3,500,000.00 (Three Million Five Hundred
thousand united state dollars) from our Authorized bank. Because of some
mix-up with sweepstake prizes, including the time limited placed on the
payment of your prize: $3,500,000.00 dollars, we advice that you keep all
information about this prize confidential until your funds: $3,500,000.00
dollars will be transferred to you by our bank.

You must adhere to this instruction, strictly, to avoid any delay with the
release of your funds to your person. This program has been abused
severally in past, so we are doing our best to forestall further
occurrence of false claims.

This sweepstake was conducted under the watchful eyes of 8,000 spectators.
Your email address attached to e-ticket number 14-18-34-45-67 (76-32) was
selected and; it came out first by an e-ballot draw from over 250,000
email addresses (personal and corporate email addresses).

This program is sponsored by CFI to compensate faithful internet suffers
around the globe.

Congratulations for becoming one of the few lucky winners.

With your permission, your e-mail will also be included in the next
Sweepstake of $50 Million dollars.

You must claim our prize: $3,500,000.00 not later than 7-days from the
moment you receive this e-mail. In order to avoid unnecessary Delays with
your claim from the bank; please contact our receiving officer immediately
and quote your winning and personal information now.

Here is the contact information:

Attention: Mrs. Kate Hall
E-mail: kahall13@outlook.com
Number: +19209441720.

Regards,
Mega Promo


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