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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Mrs Monica Maxwell <mrsmonica2008@latinmail.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2006 20:34:16 +0000
Subject: My Dearest , please reply me


My Dearest ,
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I am Mrs Monica Maxwell from Libya. I am married to Late Jamil Maxwell of blessed memory who was an oil explorer in Libya and Kuwait for twelve years before he died in the year 2000. We were married for twelve years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only
four days.
Since his death, I too have been battling with both Cancer and fibroid problems. When my late Husband was alive, he deposited a substantial amount of money in millions of dollars with a Finance Firm oversea.
Recently, my doctor told me that I have only six months to live due to cancer problem. However, what disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having
known my condition, I decided to donate this fund to either a charity/orphanage home or devoted God fearing individual that will l utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want this organization or individual to use this money in all sincerity to fund charity homes
(motherless homes), orphanages, widows.
I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are into radical organization and I
do not want a situation where this money will be used in an Unholy manner. Hence, the reasons for this bold decision. Please, pray for
me to recover, as your prayers will go a long way in uplifting my spirit. I do not need any telephone communication in this regard because of
my health, because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me always.
I do not want them to know about this development. As soon as I receive your reply, I shall give you further directives on what to do and how to go about actualizing this project. I will also issue a letter
of authority to the Finance Company authorizing them that t the said fund Have being willed to you and a copy of such authorization will be
forwarded to you.
I want you to always pray for me. Any delay in your
reply will give room in sourcing for an organization or a devoted Individual for this same purpose. Until I hear from you by email, my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders.
Remain Blessed.
Mrs. Mrs Monica Maxwell.

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