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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: "Deborah Johnson" <deb.johnson@btinternet.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: barr_brianbetts49@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 14:47:36 +0600
Subject: My dying wish

How are you today?

My name is Mrs Deborah Johnson. I am a dying woman who has decided to
donate what I have to you. I am 59 years old and diagnosed of cancer
about 2 years ago. I lost my husband and I was left alone, I have no
family and I will be going for an operation shortly and I pray that I
survive, but the chances are slim.

I have decided to Will/donate the sum of $1,500,000.00 (One Million, Five
Hundred thousand dollars) to you for the good work of the lord. I got
your contact from a random online search, as led by my spirit. I believe
God has his plan as I cannot use this money for myself when I am gone; one
with a good moral stand and charitable heart should use it. I believe my
spirit has led me right, I wanted someone anonymous to gain this money. I
have been a
very lonely woman, do help me put joy in other peoples lives.

Presently, I have informed my lawyer about my decision to will this money
to you. Kindly Contact my lawyer whose contact I place below, to carry out
this task of charity. Please, it is my dying wish.

Brian Betts esq.
Email: barr_brianbetts49@hotmail.com
Tel : +447031981654

Thank you and God bless you.

Mrs Deborah Johnson

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