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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: meli1@meli1colby.orangehome.co.uk
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2006 18:18:56 +0100 (CET)
Subject: PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU GOT MY FIRST EMAIL(Email me
mtisicolby@aim.com)


PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU GOT MY FIRST EMAIL(Email me mtisicolby@aim.com)


Hello
I am Mrs. Mel Colby, i formerly worked as special rehabilitation officer for refugees and IDPs of the UNHCR in Colombia (http://www.unhcr.org/country/col.html)bebore my retirement from the E.U commission on humanitarian aid.
I owned a Petroleum subcontracting firm situated along the Cape Vert Penisula in Senegal, but i was diagnosed of cancer about 2 years ago; owing to this i have decided to donate the sum US$3000,000,00(Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) put under your supervision for charity purpose for use in your City and envorons considering my failing health, My late Husband and i resided briefly in your City before moving on to The United Kingdom and this is my little contribution in aid of the poeple in the area where we once lived.
I am acting sincerely in aid to use this fund appropriately for the good of mankind especially those plagued by curable diseases but have no finances,I have no idea how long i shall be alive considering my failing health the reason i am donating to Charity and to a neighbourhood i once lived in,one thing I ask is that you appropriate the funds to the needy if i die.
I guarantee a legitimate arrangement which will protect you from any breach of the law as I do not want anything standing in the way of my last wish.I shall get the needed documents in place and ensure trust while we get along.
mtisicolby@aim.com

Sincerely,
Mrs M. Colby

Anti-fraud resources: