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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: toreth1945@mchsi.com
Date: Sat, 08 Sep 2007 22:21:24 +0000
Subject: My Esteem One

My Esteem One,

Getting your contact was not an easy task because since I am not
computer literate, I ordered an expert to seek a fellow very far away
and he went to the institute of International Business to apply and he
paid them the charges. I shall make every detail simple and available to you
as you progress with the work I have requested you do for mankind

I am Lady Toreth, married to Sir Richard Hughes an Englishman who is
dead; he died in a train bomb blast in Spain when he was going for his
medical check up in 2004.Please copy and paste this Internet link for
more information on the incident
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4340881.stm
When my late husband was alive he deposited a large sum of money in an
escrow account which were derived from his vast estates and investment
in capital market) with his bank here in UK.Presently, this money is
still with the Bank.

Recently, my Doctor told me that I have limited days to live due to the
cancerous problems I am suffering from. Though what bothers me most is
the stroke that I have in addition to the cancer.

I need you to help me in fulfiling my husband obligation which I am
presently unable to fulfil.

I will brief you more on your swift reply to my personal email address
on h.toreth@yahoo.co.uk
Sincerely Yours,
Lady Hughes

Anti-fraud resources: