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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 Kate Alex" <mrskatealex11@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 20:11:55 +0100
Subject: FROM MRS KATE ALEX .


*Dear Trusting Friend,

My name is Mrs. Kate Alex, widow of late Mr. John Alex,former owner of
PETROLEUM AND GAS company ,here in Benin Republic .I am 68years old,
suffering from long time cancer of the breast.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.i dont want your pity but i need your trust.

My late husband died early last year from heart attack, 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.The
doctor has advised me that I will not live for more than 2 months,so I have
now decided to spread all my wealth,to contribute mainly to the development
of charity in Africa, America, Asia and **Europe.am*
<http://europe.am/>*sorry if you are embarrased by my mail.

I found your e-mail address as a real Child of God for over a month now that
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 am
convince,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 appology.before
my late husband died he was a major oil tycoon,in Benin anddeposited the sum
of 10million dollars (Ten million dollars) in a company in europe some years
ago,thats all i have left now,i need you to collect this funds and
distribute it yourself to charity.

So that when i die my soul can rest in peace.the funds will be entirely in
hands and management.i hope God gives you the wisdom to touch very many
lives,that is my main concern.30% of this money will be for your time and
effort,while 70% goes to charity.
*
* <http://us.mc575.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=mrskatealex@gmail.com>*
*
God bless you.

Mrs Kate Alex
*

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