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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: assistance <mrsjoanmiller2@aol.com>
Reply-To: assistance <mrsjoanmiller@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 01:50:57 -0800 (PST)
Subject: RE-URGENT


Hello,
My Name is Mrs. miller, I am a 53 year old widow, and I live in Washington. I am
a good merchant, I have several industrial companies and a good amount of shares
in various banks in the world. I spent all my life investments on coperate
businesses.
Along the way I lost my  husband and two beautiful kids in a fatal accident that
occurred on the  5Th of November 2003. I was a very greedy woman with all cost I
didn't  know much and I cared little about people, ever since the fatal loss  of
my loved ones I felt weak. I found it difficult to close my eyes or  rest.
Sometime in the year February 2004 I got a letter which contained  the result of
my previous medical check-up, and my personal doctor testified that I have a
lung cancer, which can easily take my life.
I found  it uneasy to survive myself, because a lot of investment cannot be run
and managed by me again.I quickly called my church pastor to give me positive
thinking on this  solution, as my adviser. He ministered to me to distribute my
property, wealth to the motherless babies or orphanage homes, people that need 
money for survivor both students that need money,business women and men  for
their investment for future rising.
So therefore I am writing this  letter to people who are really in need of help
from me both students  in college, to contact me urgently. So that I can make
available preparation on it. Especially women whom are currently divorced and
passing through hard times, you should please feel free to contact me.
Now I am so much with GOD, I am now a born again Christian. May the good Lord in
his infinite mercy bless you.
Please DO NOT contact me if you are trying to take the inventory of  my
generosity for no good reasons, if you have intention of making away with my
money I promise, you would be caught.
Only interested person  should contact me immediately.
You can reach me on my personal e-mail
mrsjoanmiller@gmail.com
God Bless You.
Best Regards.

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