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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: zorionmateus@web2mail.com
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 06:17:47 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Hello


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo electrónico!Ahora podés escribirme a: contactinfoaa@yahoo.com.ar



- From: Mr. Zorion Mateus Date:7-11-2008 Dear Friend, My Name is Mr. Zorion Mateus, I am from Portugal, but born and breath up in Russia, I have been diagnosed with cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical experts. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. I Would want to have a Personal and Trusthworthy Relationship with you, as I intend and willing to empower the change of ownership for the transfer of the sum of USD 11,200,680.00 to your Account or personal possession for further Investment and Charity Disbursement to the Less Priveledge and Homeless, therefore, I appeal to you to write me via my mail portugeese mail address: zorionmateus@web2mail.com I will send you the photos of me and my very hopeless and selfish family members, including my wife, who I learnt is getting married to my personal friend and attorney, soonest. Thank you for your due consideration. God be with you. Mr. Zorion Mateus.


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