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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: "charity organisation" <josematinez@planetcharity.net>
Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 22:28:10 +0000
Subject: IN GOOD FAITH

Dear friend,
  Greetings to you and your family! This mail might come
to you as a surprise and the temptation to ignore it
as unserious could come into your mind; but please
consider it a divine wish and accept it with a deep
sense of humility. My name is Jose A. Martinez. I am a
64 years old man, I am Cuban currently residing in
Dubai (United Arab Emirate). I was formerly living in
Cuba and served under Castro`s government but had to
run into self exile after the ruling Government of
Fidel Castro closed in on my family on accusations of
anti-government statements, I was once married with
two children but my family also my wife and children
escaped to america before they where one of those victims
in world trade centre. l did made a lot of money
serving Castro and on getting to UAE, I have been a
merchant here in Dubai dealing in Ornamentals,
Oriental Carpets and Artifacts and life was very
smooth for me until about three(3) years ago when I
was first diagnosed of Cancer of the Larynx.
  Before this happened my business and concern for
making money was all I lived for, I never really cared
about other values in life. But since the loss of my
family and hometown, I have found a new desire to
assist helpless families. I have been helping orphans
in orphanage/motherless homes. I have once donated
some money to orphans in war ravaged Eritrea, Somalia,
Sudan and some East European Countries. Before I
became ill, I kept $ 4.5 Million in a long-term
deposit vault of a security/finance company and I
didn`t state any next of kin when the money was
deposited and if I died without stating any the money
will automatically go into the coffers of the security
company and I don`t want this to happen. I have left
the hospital and presently receiving treatment in an
acupuncture clinic, I have been undergoing treatment
for Oesophageal Cancer at the hospital. I have since
lost my ability to talk and my doctors have told me
that I have only a few months to live. It is my last
wish to see this money distributed to charity
organizations.
  Relatives and friends have plundered so much
of my wealth since my illness, I cannot live with the
agony of entrusting this huge responsibility to any of
them. Please, I beg you in the name of God to help me
collect the deposit and distribute it amongst charity
organizations. Use your judgement to distribute the
money and feel free to reimburse yourself when you
have the money for any cost you incureduring the
process of collecting and distributing the money to
charity organizations. I am willing to offer you a
reward If you are willing to help, please reply as
soon as you can.Looking forward to hearing
from you soonest.
 
Best wishes,
J.A.Martinez

 

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