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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: Mrs.Fatima Sheikh <fatisheikh@netscape.net>
Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2006 18:58:03 +0100
Subject: PLEASE REPLY SOON

Greetings,

My name is Mrs. Fatima Sheikh, widow to late Mr. Abdullah Sheikh, former owner of Petroleum and
Gas Company, here in Kuwait, I am 68years old, suffering from long time cancer of the breast,
From all indications my condition is really Deteriorating, and it's quite obvious that I
Won't live more than 2 months according to my doctors, this is because the cancer stage has gotten to a
very bad stage, I don't want your pity, but i need your trust.

My late husband died early last year from heart attack, and during the period of our marriage we couldn't
produce any child, my late husband was very wealthy, and after his death, I inherited all his business and
wealth,

The doctor has advised me that I will not live for more than 2 months, so I have now decided to spread
all my wealth, to contribute mainly to the development of charity in Africa, America, Asia and Europe, am
sorry if you are embarrassed by my mail,
I found your e-mail address in the web directory, and i have decided to contact you,

But if for any reason you find this mail offensive, you can ignore it and please accept my apology.

Before my late husband died he was a major oil tycoon, in Kuwait and deposited the sum of 25million
dollars (Twenty Five million dollars) in a company in South Africa some years ago, hats all I have left now,
I need you to collect this funds and distribute it yourself to charity,
So that when I die my soul can rest in peace, the funds will be entirely in hands and management,
I hope God gives you the wisdom to touch very many lives that is my main concern.
20% of this money will be for your time and effort, while 80% goes to charity.



God bless you.

Mrs. Fatima Sheikh.

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