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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: "Mrs. Elena Tan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barr.rlee07@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:36:41 -0800
Subject: RE;

Hello ,

My name is Mrs. Elena Tan; I was diagnosed of cancer about 2 years ago. I
will be going in for an operation, and i pray that i survive the operation.
I have decided to WILL/donate the sum of $10,500,000.00.(Ten million five
hundred thousand dollars) to you for the good work of the lord, and to help
the motherless, less privileged and also for the assistance of the widows,
I have informed my lawyer about my decision in WILLING this fund to you. if
you are interested in carrying out this task in good faith and trustworthiness.

Kindly Contact my lawyer through this email address
(barr.rlee07@yahoo.com.hk) or you can call his private Lin:
+855976826769. If you are interested in carrying out this task, so that he
can arrange the release of the funds ($10,500,000.00) to you. My lawyer's
name is Barrister Richard Lee . I know I have never met you but my mind
tells me to do this, and i hope you act sincerely.

Thank you and God bless you. Mrs. Elena Tan.

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