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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: "Diana Holmes" <dianaholmes1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: dianaholmes_2005@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 19:26:41 +0000
Subject: From: Mrs.Diana Holmes

From: Mrs.Diana Holmes
26 Kensington Court,
London, W8 5DL,
England.


I am Mrs. Diana Holmes, an English woman who is suffering from
cancerous ailment. I am married to Sir Jim Holmes, who also is an Englishman
though dead now. My husband worked with the British Railways for over two
decade before the cold hand of death took him away on the 23rd of July 2003
at about 2:00AM. Our marriage lasted for over a decade without any fruit of
the womb. My husband died after a protracted illness. My husband and I made
a vow to uplift the down-trodden and the less-privileged individuals within
the United Kingdom, Europe, North and South america, Africa and the rest of
the globe as he had passion for persons who can not help themselves due to
physical disability or financial predicament. I can adduce this to the fact
that he needed a Child from this relationship, which never came.

When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of 10 Million (Ten
Million Great Britain Pounds Sterling with an offshore Bank in
Netherland. Presently, this money is still with the Bank. Recently, my
Doctor told me that I have a limited or numbered days on earth and that my
life span will not exceed 150days due to the cancerous problems I am
suffering from. Though what bothers me most is the stroke that I have in
addition to the cancer. With this hard reality that has befallen my family,
and me I have decided to donate this fund to a non-governmental, or a non
religious, and or a non profit organization or better still an individual,
that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here in. I want
a non governmental, or a non religious, and or a non profit organization or
better still an individual, that will use this gift which comes from my
husband's sweat to fund the upkeep of widows, widowers, orphans, destitute,
the down-trodden, physically challenged children, barren-women and persons
who prove to be genuinely handicapped
financially.

It is often said that blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this
decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money and my
husband relatives are bourgeois and very wealthy persons and I do not want
my husband's hard earned money to be misused or invested into ill perceived
ventures. I do not want a situation where this money will be used in an
ungodly manner, hence the reason for taking this bold decision. I am not
afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be
with the Almighty when I eventually pass on. The Almighty will fight my case
and I shall hold my peace. I do not need any telephone communication in this
regard due to my deteriorating health and because of the presence of my
husband's relatives around me. I do not want them to know about this
development. With God all things are possible.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of My
attorney in Netherland Europe. I will also issue you a Letter of Authority
that will empower you as the original beneficiary of this fund. My happiness
is that I lived a life worthy of emulation. Please always be prayerful all
through your life. Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for
a non-governmental, or a non religious, and or a non profit organization or
better still an individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you
will act just as I have stated herein. Hope to hear from you soon and God
bless you and members of your family.

Mrs. Diana Holmes. (Benefactor)


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