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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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Fraud email example:

From: "melissa k pointer" <pointer60@netscape.net>
Reply-To: kathpointer@netscape.net
Date: Thu, 5 May 2005 15:32:26 +0100
Subject: mkp

This letter may come to you as a surprise due to the
fact that we have not yet met. I have to say that I
have no intentions of causing you any pains so i
decided to contact you through this medium .
As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for
me, because, I believe everyone will die someday.
My name is Melissa Pointer, a merchant in Dubai, in the
U.A.E. I have been diagnosed with esophageal Cancer that was discovered very late due to my laxity in caring for my health. It has defiled all form of medicine and right now, I have only about a few months to live according to medical experts.
I have not particularly lived my life so well, 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
focus 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 I know my time is
near, I have willed and given most of my properties
and assets to my immediate and extended family members
and as well as a few close friends and Schools in
the UAE. 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,
London and Ireland. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this my self any more. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and donate the money, which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria, 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 is the huge cash deposit that I have with Financial Firm Abroad .I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations and let them know that it is I Melissa Pointer that is making this generous donation.

I am writing this from my laptop computer in my hospital where i have only a few days access to the internet. I pray that God uses you to support and assist me with good heart

God be with you.
Melissa Pointer

NB: I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this
matter until the task is accomplished as I dont want
anything that will Jeopadize my last wish. and Also I
will be contacting with you by email as I dont want
anybody to know because they are always around me.
Do endeavour to send your phone as well as your fax
for easy communication.









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