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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: "Matt Haggin" <matthagginfamily2@msn.com>
Reply-To: matthaggin1@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 09:17:30 +0000
Subject: DEAR BELOVED!!

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 matt haggins, 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 econd 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. Now that 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, and Africa they refused and kept the money to themselves.
 
The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of eighteen million dollars($18m) 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 30% for you for your time and patience.
You can e-mail me at:
matthaggin1@yahoo.com
While I await to hear from you, may God be with you and your entire
family.
Remain blessed.
Matt Haggins.
Email:matthaggin1@yahoo.com

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