419 scam: "Mega Millions Lottery Company"<nationalgovernmentofaustralia@gmail.com> Dear Esteemed Winner,

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mega Millions Lottery Company" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <office0005000@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 6 May 2023 10:51:29 -0700
Subject: Dear Esteemed Winner,

Dear Esteemed Winner,

Mega Millions Online Draw for - $272 Million Jackpot
Mega Millions is one of America's two big jackpot games, and the only
one with Match 5 prizes up to $5 million with the optional Megaplier.
The Mega Millions Lottery Company Inc is pleased to inform you that
your drawn Lottery through an electronically selected email database
system as a Third place winner, of Five Million United States Dollars
($5,000,000 USD.), for prizes drawn in February 11, 2023 This draw was
audited by the Betting Gaming & Lotteries Commission (BGLC) that
granted us permits and approvals on the 3rd March,2023.

All Stake winners prizes are going to be paid through an Electronic
ATM Credit Card + Online Bank Credit Payment + Certified Bank Cheque
made payable to the winners nominated name they will be proving to us
via our Stake Payment Director.

As a matter of urgency, you are required to forward to us with your
Full Name, Full Contact Address, Mobile Number and a scanned Personal
Identification Card to enable us to deliver your payment to your
nominated contact address through courier shipment services.

Awaiting your urgent response to our mail so that we can make payment
as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation.

Terms and Conditions Apply.

Yours faithfully,
Andrew Ebanks, Chief Manager-Mega Million Lottery Inc
CC Penelope Kyle, Pres. Mega Million Lottery Inc

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam