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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: Grace Benson <ms.grbnsnn1070@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2016 04:19:56 +0000
Subject: Charity Project

Greetings,
As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I
believe everyone will die someday. My name is Mrs.Grace Benson, I have
been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of
medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to
live, according to medical experts. I have particularly lived my life
so well, as I always cared for everyone, even myself and my business.
Though I am very rich, I was very Generous, I was always free to
people and always focused on my business as that was the only thing I
cared for that other people benefit from. Despite the fact that i
don't have child before this age of myself after the death of my
husband Fred Benson Will 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. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to
this world I would live my life a the same way. I want God to be
merciful to me and accept my soul so, I have decided to give alms to
charity organizations under your care to help the poor,widows and less
privileged people in your country,all i want from you is sincerity, as
I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I
have distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E,
Algeria and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I
cannot do this myself anymore. I need your help.
Thank you and remain blessed.

Anti-fraud resources: