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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: "Mrs Mary Ross" <maryross001@biz.by>
Date: Sat, 31 May 2008 19:38:44 +0200
Subject: DEAR FRIEND


My Dear Beloved,

It is with tears and pains that I am writing this email from my sick bed in
a hospital here in Benin Republic. I believe you have never met such a
condition before. My name is Mrs Mary Ross,widow to late Engineer Pat Ross,
former owner of PETROLEUM AND GAS company,here in Benin Republic.

At the present, I am suffering from a long time cancer of the breast. And
from all indications, my condition is really deteriorating and it's quite
obvious that I won't live more than 2 months
according to my doctors. This is because the cancer stage has gotten to a
very bad stage, but I don't want you to pity me, but I only need your trust.

My late husband died in December 2003 in a plane crash in Benin, (please
check,http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/index.html) and
during the period of our marriage we couldn't produce any child. My late
husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business
and wealth. Due to my illness, the doctors have advised me that I will not
live for more than 2 months, due to the damages that the illness has caused
on my body, so I have now decided to spread all my wealth, I inherited from
my late husband, in order to contribute mainly to the development of charity
in Africa, America, Asia and Europe. I am sorry if you are embarrassed by my
mail.

I found your e-mail address as a real Child of God for over a month now,
during my search for a trust worthy Christian. And since then, I have been
investigating about you to know if really you are working according to the
direction of God. So, after all my investigation, I was convinced, and I
have decided to contact you, but if for any reason you find this mail
offensive, you can ignore it and please accept my apology. But if it touches
you in your heart to help the homeless and the needy, please respond as soon
as possible. Before my late husband died, he was a major oil tycoon, in
Benin and deposited the sum of US$8,000,000.00 (Eight Million U.S Dollars
only)in a security company here in Benin Republic, some years ago and right
now that is all I have left, after my late husband's business associates,
took everything that belongs to my dear husband. I need your help to collect
this fund and distribute it yourself to charity homes, so that when I
finally die, my soul will rest in peace. The funds will be entirely in your
hands and care, as you utilize it very well. I hope God gives you the wisdom
to touch very many lives that is in need, because that is my main concern.

Please note that 40% of this fund will be for you completely, for your time
and effort, while 60% goes to charity.

If you are willing to do this, please reply back to me

God bless you.

Mrs Mary Ross.
Christ Alive General
Hospital.
Benin Republic.

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