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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: "Patrick Thompson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pat.thompson@sify.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 09:43:25 -0400
Subject: Help me fulfill my last wishes

As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because I believe everyone will die someday.
My name is Patrick Thompson a merchant in Dubai,in the U.A.E. I worked with Kuwait oil Company for eight years as a contractor. I have been diagnosed with
Esophageal cancer which has defiled all forms of medical treatment,according to medical experts I have only about a few months to live.

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 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 have Willed some of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends.Yet I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth.
So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, Algeria and Malaysia.
Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria and Pakistan,they refused and kept the money to themselves.Hence I have lost my trust in them, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left with them.

At the advise of my lawyer who happens to be a very busy man as he is occupied with other official tasks, thus he would not have the time to assist me with this mission as I want to see this done before my death.
The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit that I have with a finance/Security Company abroad. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to charity organizations.
I dont want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner.

Hence the reason for taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bossom of the Lord.Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace. Please contact me as soon as possible if you are touched to help me.
I have set aside 20% for you and for your time .God be with you.
The Lord is my Strength
Remain blessed
Patrick Thompson

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