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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. Ruth Brown" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ruthbrowncharity@qq.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 22:37:48 +0100
Subject: Greetings Dear friend!!!

My name is Mrs. Ruth Brown I was married to Late Engr. James Brown We were married for 7 years without a child. He died after a Brief illness. And Recently, My Doctor told me that I may not live longer than required due to my health condition.and i have to undergo a (Cancer of the lung Operation).

I inherited a total sum of GBP3.5MILLION POUNDS (THREE MILLION,FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS ) from my late husband, this money which is concealed in a metallic trunk box is deposited with a security and finance company in UNITED KINGDOM.This deposit was coded under a secret arrangement as a family treasure.This means that the security company does not know the content of this trunk box

Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to any good God fearing brother or sister that will utilize this fund the way I am going to instruct herein. I want somebody that will use this fund according to the desire of my late. Husband to help less privileged people, orphanages, widows and propagating the word of God.
I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this fund, And I don,t want in away where this money will be used in an ungodly way. This is why I am taking this decision to hand you over this Fund.

I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I want you to always remember me in your daily prayers because of my up coming Cancer Surgery.

Write back as soon as possible, any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another person for this same purpose, hoping to read from you ASAP.

God bless you as i await your response,

MRS. RUTH BROWN

Anti-fraud resources: