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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: "mohammed mohammed" <mohmoh1@msn.com>
Reply-To: moham66moham@yahoo.es
Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2005 07:36:21 +0000
Subject: PLEASE HELP

Dear Friend,
My name is Mohammed a merchant in Dubai, have been diagnosed with Esophageal
cancer It has defied all forms of medical treatment, 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 focused 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 Is About To Call me, I have willed and given most of my
property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a
few close friends. I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so, I
have decided to give also 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 Malaysia.

Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself
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 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. before I
became ill. Please I Beg You In The name of Allah to Help Me. Help Me To
Take The Money To Any Orphanage Home Close To You. I Believe That You Would
Offer This Service For Humanity Sake. If You Can Help Me. Mail Me back. May
the Good Allah Bless You And Your Family
I Await Your Response.

Regards.
Mohammed



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