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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: "barry wool" <barrywool111@msn.com>
Reply-To: barry_wool2010@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2005 15:34:27 +0000
Subject: Dear Friend....

Dear Friend,

As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for
me, because, I believe everyone will die someday.My
name is Barry Wool, a merchant in Dubai, in the
U.A.E.I have been diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer
which was discovered very late, due to my laxity in
carrying for my health. It has defiled all forms 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 God has called me, 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. I want God to be merciful to me and accept my
soul and so, I have decided to give arms to charity
organizations and give succour and confort to the less
priviledged in our societies,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.
Nowthat my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot
do this my self 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 and
to the less priviledged 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 Seven million dollars($7m) that I have
with a Security Company in Europe for safe keeping. I
will want you to help me collect this deposit and
disburse it to some charity organizations and to the
less priviledged.Please send me a mail to indicate if
you will assist me in this disbursement.I have set
aside 10% for you for your time and patience.


While I await to hear from you, may God be with you
and your entire family.

Remain blessed,

Barry Wool.


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