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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: "Dr. (Mrs.) Marry Adams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <douglasbrown_11@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 21:04:05 +0700
Subject: GOD BLESS YOU

Good Day,
My name is Dr. (Mrs.) Marry Adams, a dying woman who has decided to donate what I have to charity through any thoughtful and selfless someone. I got your information while browsing through the internet, although I am not comfortable using this medium owing to the unsolicited emails everywhere but some one has to be used to save this transaction.
So, I honestly crave your indulgence to digest and do what I have to say, please. I am a 59 years old woman and was diagnosed for cancer about 2 years ago, after the death of my husband who had left me everything he worked for. I have decided to donate from what I have inherited from my late husband for charity through you since I cannot do it all by myself considering my circumstances.
I have WILLED/donated the sum of $1,500,000 (One million five hundred thousand united state dollars) to you Organization for the less privileged rather than allow my greedy relatives to use my husband's hard earned funds inappropriately.
I will be going for an operation soon and at the moment I cannot take any telephone calls, however, I have adjusted my WILL and my Executor is aware. Please, you and he should arrange the transfer of the funds from my Finance company to your humble self, wherever you are. Please contact my Attorney.

Barrister Douglas R Brown
Private E-mail: douglasbrown_11@yahoo.co.jp
Tel: +447045736337

Send your full names:
Phone/fax numbers:
Contact address:
Occupation:
Age:

I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the task is accomplished as I do not want anything that will jeopardize my last wish.
I will try and be in contact with you at any given opportunity.
I wish you all the best and, please use the funds well and always extend the good work to others.
Regards,
Dr. (Mrs.) Marry Adams

Anti-fraud resources: