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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 Haggins" <matt_haggins04@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: matt_haggins147@yahoo.ie
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2005 23:48:54 +0000
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE.

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 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 acceptmy
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: matthaggin_147@yahoo.co.uk
While I await to hear from you, may God be with you and your entire family.

Remain blessed.
Matt Haggins.
Email:matthaggin_147@yahoo.co.uk


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