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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: "susancole Gazeta.pl" <susancole@gazeta.pl>
Date: Sat, 31 May 2008 17:36:52 +0200
Subject: CHARITY ASSISTANCE


CHARITY ASSISTANCE

Hello Friend.
As you read this, I want you to be tourched because I believe everyone will
die someday. My name is Rod Thompson, a Merchant .

I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of
medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live,
according to medical experts. I have not particularly lived my life so well,
as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my business. Though
I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and
only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now
I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting
to have or make all the money in the world.

I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would
live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that God has
called me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my
immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends.

I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so; I have decided to
give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last
good Deeds I do on earth.

Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself
anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and
distribute the money which I have there to Charity organization in Bulgaria
and Pakistan; they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not
trust them anymore, as they seem not to Be contended with what I have left
for them.

The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of $7M.
(Seven million United States Dollars) that I have with a Bank in The
Netherlands. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched
it to charity organizations I have mentioned above. I have set aside 10 %
for you and for your time.

God be with you. please do reply to my private mail box:
rodthompson333@aol.com

Regards,

Rod Thompson ( rodthompson333@aol.com )

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