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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: "Agnes Clifford" <agnes.clifford@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 16:59:36 +0100
Subject: Please Treat as urgent


Hello My Dear,

I am Agnes Clifford now undergoing medical treatment for Cancer. I was
married for Sixtheen Years before my Husband (Professor Phillip Clifford)
died on September 15 2003. Well I will only try to let you know who
Professor Phillip Clifford is by stating his philosophy of life. "Life is
worth living only if lived to the service of mankind" and "You make a living
by what you earn, but you make life by what you give" This will give you an
insight of the spirit behind what I believe and what I live for.

My Doctors has confirmed to me that I have less than Three Months to live,
so I have decided to donate my funds (USD8.6 Million) to a trustworthy
individual who will utilize it to assist the poor and the needy in
accordance to my instructions.

As soon as I have received your response, I shall give you further
directives on how you are to go about the claims of the said funds.
Best Regards,
Mrs. Agnes Clifford.

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