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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 ANGELA SCOTT." <mrsangelas@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mrsangelascott@live.com
Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 05:10:14 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: YOUR ARE THE CHOSEN ONE


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: mrsangelas@yahoo.com



- CRAVE YOUR INDULGENCE My Dear in the Lord, Your first reaction to this mail will be total rejection, scare and may be unbelief, owing largely to the atrocities people committed these days. But this mail comes from a devastated, sorrowful and emotional ladened soul that needs compassion from a kind and good spirited person to wipe away my tears, perhaps when i am gone beyond this sinful world. As an international subject, therefore, with due respect and apology, I want you to handle it very discreetly, confidentially and with utmost secrecy. For the sake of my children, who are the cardinal focus of this mail, for their future survival and to avoid embarrassment, I do not want our family name to be advertised or publicly discussed. Please, treat it as such and keep it permanently private. If you would not be in the position to co-operate, please, forgive me !
for disturbing your peace. Ignore and delete this message. I plead in the name of God. My purpose of writing to you is to seek your assistance to handle and manage my late husband's financial assets and take adequate care of our young children, John, 12years and Jennifer, 8years. They are both studying in the Britsh International School, Lagos State Nigeria. My name is Mrs.Angala Scott. I am a Egyptian, a widow of circumstance,married to an American Engineer who resided here in Lagos State Nigeria with me before his untimely death. My husband died in a car accident while going to diagnose and seek medical attention for a sickness that defied medical treatment. Presently, I am diagnosed to have a third degree HIV virus and therefore suffering a terminal sickness of ACQURIED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROMME -AIDS -. I may die any moment but wish you to assist in keeping the family name and circle alive. Th!
is mail is written for me by the matron of this hospital, as I am too
weak to engage in any other physical endeavors. Documented proofs for confirmation, on request, could be provided. I have entrusted the sum of US$8.5Million Dollars USD), the accrued savings and life insurance gratuity of my late husband, with the custody of a Security Company here in Nigeria. Be informed that this Company does not know that the box I deposited with them contained raw cash. I only told them that it was personal belongings. I want you to recover the money for your prudent care, management and safekeeping. Use it to secure traveling papers for my children to leave Nigeria, and train them as your adopted children. I place no conditions on your management except taking good care of my children. I am not fearful of death but I am seriously worried about the safety and future survival of my two children. I want this transaction to be handled with dispatch before I give up the ghost. I will appreciate it t!
he more if you give me your reply no matter your state of mind, negatively or positively, it is all right. Thanks and God bless. Mrs. Angala Scott. Christian General hospital, Lagos State Nigeria.


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