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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: "Aliu Safiu" <aliusafi042@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: safialiu40@walla.com
Date: Wed, 01 Mar 2006 14:11:15 +0000
Subject: FOR THY LORD

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
SAFI ALIU a merchant in Dubai, in the U.A.E.I have been
diagnosed with Esophageal cancer . It has defiled 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
has called 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 the U.A.E, Algeria and
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 in Bulgaria and
Pakistan, 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. The last of my
money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of
eighteen million dollars,$18,000,000,00 that I have with a
finance/Security Company abroad. I will want you to help me
collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity
organizations,

Please for Security reasons Reply me on this email,
safialiu40@walla.com

I have set aside 10% for you and for your time.

God be with you.

SAFI ALIU


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