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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: "Edmond Laing." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <phalmix@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2012 09:08:09 -0400
Subject: Re My Dear Beloved,

From: Mr. Edmond Laing,
 
My Dear Beloved,
 
Good day to you and your family,
 
I have not considered this medium to be the best manner to have approached you on this issue considering the bastardized and greatly abused nature of the internet in recent times. I decided to use this means since no other means could have been faster to reach you than the through e-mail.
 
My name is Mr. Edmond Laing a merchant in the U.K, I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer. It has defile all forms of medical treatment, and right now, I have only about a few months to live according to medical experts.
 
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 very successful business man in all ramifications. 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 could live my life a different way from how i have lived it.
Now that God has called me,I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends.
 
I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so,I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I’ll do on earth. I want to believe that you will be capable of handling this task for me.
 
I will wait to hear from you to know if you are capable of doing this favor for me, God will bless you as you decide to do this.I will wait for your urgent response'' thank you for deciding to be used by GOD for this task.
Thank you
                 
Mr.Edmond Laing.

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