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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Marcus" <mar_caru@handbag.com>
Reply-To: marcuscaru@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 3 May 2005 14:18:56 +0200
Subject: Urgant Assistant Needed For Charity

Dear friend,

As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe
everyone ill die someday. My name is Mr. Marcus Caru a merchant from Norway.
I have been diagnosed with Oesophageal 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 not particularly lived a good life, as I never really cared for anyone
(not even myself) but my business. 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.

I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would
live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that God has called
me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate
and extended family members as well as a few close friends.

I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so, I have decided to
give alms to charity organizations, 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 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 the huge cash deposit of seventeen
million dollars ($17,000,000.00) that I have with a Trust company abroad.
I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity
organizations. I have set aside 20% for you and for your time.

God be with you.

Marcus Caru



___________________________________________________________

Book yourself something to look forward to in 2005.
Cheap flights - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/flights/
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___________________________________________________________

Book yourself something to look forward to in 2005.
Cheap flights - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/flights/
Bargain holidays - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/travel/holidays/



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