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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: Rafiq Rehman <nicholas@poloskoval.orangehome.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 14:25:21 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE NEEDED


My Dear Friend,

This letter may come to you as a surprise due to the fact that we have not met before. I have to say that I have no intentions of causing you any pains so I decided to contact you through this medium. As you read this, I don't want you to feel bad about my situation because I believe everyone will die someday.


My name is Rafiq Rehman, a merchant in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates(UAE).I have been diagnosed with prostate and esophageal cancer that was discovered very late due to my laxity in caring for my health. It has defiled all forms of medication 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.


Although I am very rich, I was never generous, never willing to spare time and help people but only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. Now I regret all these 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 if God gives me a second chance I would live my life a different way and lead a better life.

Now that I know my time is near, I have willed and given most of my properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends and schools in the UAE.

I have decided to give alms to charity organizations as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have donated money to some
charity organizations in the U.A.E, London and Ireland. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself any more. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and donate the money to charity organizations in Bulgaria but they tricked me and embezzled the money. 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 is the huge cash deposit that I have with Financial Firm Abroad .I will want you to help me collect this deposit and distribute it to charity organizations and let them know that I, Rafiq Rehman is making this generous donation.

I am writing this from my laptop computer in my hospital bed where I wait for my time to come since the sickness has bedridden me for several months. I pray that God uses you to support and assist me in good heart.

God be with you
Mr. Rafiq Rehman


Please reply to: rrafiqrehman1@aol.com
NOTE: I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the task is accomplished as I don’t want anything or anybody that will jeopardize my last wish. And Also I will be contacting with you by email as I don’t want anybody to know because they are always around me. Do endeavour to send your phone as well as your fax for easy communication.

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