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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: "Mrs. Shirley" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2018 14:04:24 +0100
Subject: Reply

01 - 04 - 31 - 33 - 52 - 55 Bonus ball 13

Visit Our Web Site
https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/results/lotto/draw-history/draw-details/2326

Sat 07 Apr 2018
Draw 2326
Jackpot: 9,561,853

Your e-mail has won you £9,561,853 Million Pounds From BBC NATIONAL LOTTERY 2018 charity bonanza.

The draw No.BNL,2326 brought out your e-mail address from a Data Base of Internet Email Users and qualified you a bonafied winner of the stated winning amount.

VERIFICATION AND FUNDS RELEASE FORM.

1. Full Name's:-
2. Sex:-
3. Country:-
4. State/City:-
5. Contact Address:-
6. Mobile/Tel Number:-
7. Marital Status:-
8. Occupation:-
9. Date of Birth:-
10. Winning E-Mail:-
11. Amount Won:-
12. Have You Won Before: - Yes Or No: -
13. A Copy Of Your Personal Identity:-

*Yours Faithful.

Peter Ainsworth - Chair of the Big Lottery Fund
Dawn Austwick - Chief Executive
Dianne Hughes - HR Director
Joe Ferns - UK Knowledge and Portfolio Director
Beth Lawton - Technology Director
Gemma Bull - Portfolio Development Director, England


British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Anti-fraud resources: