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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. Aminatu Bolkiah" <widow_bolkiah@hotmail.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: bolkiah_widow@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2006 00:23:18 +0400
Subject: CONSIDERATION

Good afternoon dearest and beloved,

I came across your email ID few hours ago while undergoing a surgery at
the UK hospital so i decided to write to ask your understanding towards
joining me to assist our sisters and brothers who are suffering in
neighbouring countries, reasons been that i have come to realise wealth
acquisition without Christ is vanity upon vanity,

I am 47 years old Bruneian convert suffering from cancer of the breast
and fibroid of the womb and after three years of surgeries, am still not
getting any better as the doctor's report confirmed that i may not
survive my present health problems because of the nature of the illness,
I beleive Jesus as the Doctor's of all doctors so am praying to him to
help me regain my health.

I have prayed about my involvement with you, regarding my intentions to
make some donations of my wealth to the poor, But these is difficult
because of my health problems, please if you are capable in handling
these matter do not hesitate to write back with your most private email
ID , Telephone number and full Names.

Yours sister in Christ ,
Mrs. Aminatu Bolkiah


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