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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: Mabel Frank <mrsfrankmabel@outlook.com>
Reply-To: <mrs.mabelfrank@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 18:25:33 +0000
Subject: I am waiting.


Dear Friend,

My name is Mrs. Mabel Frank a crude oil dealer i am
66 yrs of age from United States. I have been diagnosed with esophageal
cancer and have been in the hospital in England . The illness has defied
all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have about few months
to live, according to the medical experts.

I have not
particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone
(not even myself) but my business and wealth. Though I am very rich, 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. Although, I am a born again
Christian, I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I
know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14
says that the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace. I don't
need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health.

I
want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul. I have decided to
give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last
good deeds I do on this planet earth before Gods call. So far, I have
distributed money to some charity organizations hear in England,
Algeria, Malaysia and also the Tsunami victims. Now that my health has
deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore. I once asked
members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the
money which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria and
Pakistan, they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not
trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have
left for them.

The last of my money which no one knows of, is
this huge cash deposit of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United
States dollars ($2,500.000.00) that I have with a Finance and Trust
Company in Europe. I would want you to help me collect this deposit and
distribute it to charity organizations in your country. I would want you
to keep 20% of the funds to yourself and dispatch the rest to charity
organizations.

I am waiting for your reply as soon as possible

Best Regards,
Mrs. Mabel Frank

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