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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: Susan Walker <susanwalker9@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: susanwalker9@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 14:43:55 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Mail From Mrs.Susan Walker.


 
My Dear Friend,
 
Greeting, I am Mrs. Susan Walker I married to Mr. Harry Walker who worked with TEXACO PETROLIFERA Company before he died in a ghastly motor accident on his way to a Board meeting. My Husband and I was married but without no children. Since he died, I decided not to re-marry because of my cancer illness and presently I am in a hospital where I have been undergoing treatment for Cancer of the lungs, and also I lost my ability to talk recently and the doctors in-charge of my treatment, informed me that I have a few months to live, in this regard I decided to contact you to be my trustee for the destruction of UDS$6.5m for charity purposes, this fund was deposited by my late husband when he was still alive, so I think the best thing to do is to use this money for charity purposes.
 
I’m  sure that I can find a trustworthy in you, as I’m about to  make you the new beneficiary of this  Fund, so that you shall utilize 60% of this fund for those unfortunate under privilege children out there,, orphanages and widows around the world as you may deem fit..
 
As soon as I receive your reply with your full contact details, Name,Address and Telephone, I will issue you a letter of authority that will empowered you as the new beneficiary of this fund and connect you also with the holder Bank and instruct them to release the fund to you as my authorized trustee.
 
 
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein and also Keep this project confidential till the fund get into your Custody.
This is to ensure that nothing will jeopardizes my last wish on Earth.
I expect your urgent reply.
Happy New Year.
 
Regards,
Mrs. Susan Walker

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