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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.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "larry moore" <larrymooredcharity7@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 22:05:57 +0000
Subject: BELOVED

Dear friend,

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.
As you read this letter, I don’t want you to feel sorry for me, because, I
believe everyone will die someday when the time comes. My name is Larry
Moore, a merchant in Dubai, in the U.A.E. I have been diagnosed with
prostate and oesophageal cancer that was discovered very late due to my
laxity in caring for my health. It has defied 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 or
had time for anyone, not even myself, but my business. Though I am very
rich, I was never generous because i didn't know God, 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. 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
organizations in Bulgaria, they refused and kept the money to themselves.
Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contented with
what I have left for them.

The last of my money which is the huge cash deposit that I have with a
security firm abroad .I will want you to help me collect this deposit and
dispatch it to charity organizations. I am writing this from my laptop
computer in my hospital be where I wait for my time to come. Thanks.

Larry Moore.


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