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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. Cena Peter" <diapung@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:15:14 -0800 (PST)
Subject: PLEASE USE IT FOR THE SICK, POOR AND NEEDY CHILDREN.


PLEASE USE IT FOR THE SICK, POOR AND NEEDY CHILDREN.
 
I am Mrs. Cena, I am married to Dr. Harward who worked with Bahrain embassy in Cote d'Ivoire for nine years before he died in the year 2009. We were married for many years without a child. He died after a brief illness. Before his death we were both good believers in the Lord and I try to maintain this tempo to the full.
 
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $4.5 Million U.S. Dollars with a Finance Company and presently, this money is still with the Finance Company. Recently, my Doctor told me that I would only live for three months due to cytotoxin for pancreas cancer which I now suffer for years. Having known my poor condition of health and my bedridden situation, I decided to donate this fund to the Church of God, the poor and the helpless children of our society through your help.
 
I have found you after going through the internet and my instinct tells me you could be of a great help to the justly distribution of this wealth. I took this decision to distribute this fund to the less privilege through you because I don't have any child that will inherit this fund.
 
I am not afraid of death because I know that by the special grace of God Almighty I will retire to His bossom when I die. Any delay in your reply will give me a room in search for another good person for this same purpose.
 
If you are sincere and honest to help, please be kind to respond quickly after you read this email.

Hoping to hear from you soon.
 
>From Mrs. Cena.

Anti-fraud resources: