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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: "Sarah Cohad" <sarah_cohad@btconnect.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2007 18:58:45 -0000
Subject: MY DEAREST

My Dearest,
 
I am Mrs. Sarah Cohad. I am married to Ahmed Cohad  of blessed memory  who died as a result of a plane crash on Wednesday, 26 July, 2000 in  Germany.He worked with kuwait embassy in Madrid Spain for nine years, but  lived in London before his untimely demise. Before he died in the year  2000, We were married for eleven years without a child.Before his  death he was a very devoted Muslim and I was a devoted Christian by birth  .It might interest you to know that I am battling with both cancer and  fibroid problems when my late husband was alive. Before his Untimely   death, he deposited the sum of $38.5M (Thirty eight million, Five Hundred  Thousand Dollars) n a Security Company here in Europe for safe keeping.
 
Though what disturbs me most is my ill health, having known my  condition I decided to donate this fund to either a Christian or Muslim  organization or individual that will 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 churches, mosques, orphanages, widows and also propagating  the word of God and to ensure that the society upholds the views and  beliefs of the holy book. As the holy book emphasizes so much on the  giving of arms, charity and this has encouraged me in taking this bold step.
 
I took this decision because I don't have any child to start from and  where I will stop. I don't want my husband hard earned money to be  misused by people that call me an unbeliever. I don't want a Situation where  this money will be used in an unholy manner hence the reason for  taking this bold decision. I know that after death I will be with God in the  highest and the most merciful one.
 
I don't need any telephone communications but will only give you the  contact of my family lawyer because he is the one who is going  to assist you in making you the beneficiary of the funds in the  Security Company.  With God, I know that all things are possible and as soon  as I receive your reply, I will now give you the contact details of my  family lawyer for you to establish a contact with him in order for him  to direct you on the next line of action. He shall also give you the  contact of the Security Company for you to establish a contact with them.
 
 
Until I hear from you my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders,  may the Almighty God continue to guide and protect you Amen. However you  can reach me immediately on my personal and private email for urgent  response. The website shown below will brief you in a more elaborated  detailed insight about the rough incident of the plane crash that led to  the death of my darlig husband.
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/851119.stm
 
 Email Address:contact_sarahcohad4love@pc.nu
 Yours faithfully,
 Mrs. Sarah Cohad.        
--

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