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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.Marie Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsmariesmith034@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 14.50.26 +0100
Subject: Treat As Urgent For Christ Sake....

My Dear Friend ,

First I must solicit your confidence in this transaction and I am sending you this message because I can make a lot of difference in this life. I think you can make a lot of difference if we talk, become good friends in the Lord, and see that with greater power, becomes greater responsibility. You can make a change in the life of others, most especially the poor hearted, and the less privileged I believe you can do this. I think I would start all with a proper introduction of myself.

I am Mrs.Marie Smith and a widow to Late Mr.Antonio David. I am 57 years old, suffering from long time cancer of the cancer of the bone marrow, (blood). From all indications, my condition is really deteriorating and is quite obvious that I may not live more than two months after my next surgery, because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage and my personal physician told me that I may not live for more than four months and I am so scared about it. I have no child of mine, even though I wish I had it, is late now you know, since I cannot get married again, and age is no longer on my side.

So, I now decide to divide part of my wealth, by contributing to the development of the motherless babies homes, needy, poor, charity homes and widows too. am willing to donate the some amount,which is still the major inheritance i have left. I wish you could be someone who i could trust with all my heart, to make this wish of mine come true.Please note that, this fund is Deposited with a reputable bank/ security company. I need you to use the funds to help the poor,i know this is hard, and it take a very strong heart to get this done.but you should keep this saying in your heart.

Till you write me.
Mrs. Mrs.Marie Smith (mrsmariesmith034@gmail.com)

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