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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: Mary Agu <mrsagu38@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mrsagu207@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2007 02:11:42 +0100
Subject: GOD BLESS YOU



Dear Friend,
Compliments of the day!!
I am Mrs. Mary Agu a former staff of the Federal Ministry of Aviation undergoing medical Treatment. I am married to Dr. John Agu who worked with National Petroleum Corporation for nineteen years before he died in the year 2006.
We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness.When my late husband was alive he deposited a huge sum of money with a finance company. Presently, this money is still with the finance Company.This money was accumalated from an onshore engineering award my husband won during the last regime.
Recently, my Doctor told me that my condition with the special grace of God would soon be okay.Though what disturbs me most is that am diagonised to be having spinal abnormalty. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church or better still a God fearing individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct. I want a church or individual that will use this fund on the orphanages, widows etc propagating the word of God.
My husband’s relatives has being maltreating me with the only motive to take away the funds from me becuase I did not have a child.
I will surely appreciate and thank you for your kindness in giving me help.
Thank you
Mrs. Mary Agu.
_________________________________________________________________
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