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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "hundred thousand u.s 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)
  • "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Mary Muhid <dtanga1000@onet.eu>
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 10:15:51 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: VERY URGENT.

Dear Beloved,

God Bless You
I am MARY MUHID,a Christain widow from Libya.
I am married to Late Mallam ABDULFATAH MUHID of blessed memory who was an oil
explorer in Libya for Thirteen years before he died in the year 2001.We were
married for twelve years without a child.

He died after a protracted brief illness that lasted for only four days Before
his death we were both devoted Muslims.And I found out Christ is the only way
I become a bornagain Christain. Since his death I too have been battling with
both esophageal Cancer and fibroid problems which has defiled all forms of
medical treatment. When my late Husband was alive he deposited the sum of
$5.5million (Five Million, Five Hundred thousand U.S Dollars) with a Bank in
Africa .

Recently,my doctor told me that I have only few months to live due to the
cancer problem because it has defiled all forms of medical treatment Though
what disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I
decided to donate this fund to either a Christain organization or devoted Born
again individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct
herein. I want this Christain organization or individual to use this money in
all sincerity to fund Churches, orphanages, widows,charity organizations and
also propagating the word of Our Lord JEsus Christ and to ensure that the
society upholds the views and belief of the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible
emphasizes so much on Christ'S benevolence and this has encouraged me to take
this bold step.

I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this
money,and my husband relatives are all Muslims and I don't want a situation
where this money will be used in an Unholy manner. These are my reasons for
taking this bold decision. I know that after death I will be with Jesus Christ
the most beneficient and the most merciful. I don't need any telephone
communication in this regard because of my health, and because of the presence
of my husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about
this development.

I know with God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply and
your willingness to claim the money, and you agree to utilize the money as I
have instructed herein,I will use your name and swear an affidavit of WILL in
the high court of Libya authorising that you have been willed to claim the
money,and I will send to you copies of the sworn affidavit,and also the
Deposit Certificate. I will instruct our family lawyer in Nigeria who is with
all the documents for the claim including the SECRET PIN CODE NUMBER and the
deposit certificate of the consignment to send them to you for the claim. I
will also issue a letter of authority to the bank authorizing them that the
said fund have been WIILED to you and a copy of such authorization will be
forwarded to you.

I want you and the Christain community where you reside to always pray for me
because my health is getting terribly bad. My happiness is that I lived a true
devoted Christain life worthy of emulation and now that God is about taking
my life,I want him to be merciful to me.I have decided to give out this money
as I want this to be one of the last Good deeds I do on earth. Please always
be prayerful all through your life.

Contact me with your Full names, Address and Telephone number if you can help.

Best Regards,
MARY MUHID

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam