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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: "MADAM JOY WILLIAMS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsjoywilliiams@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 12:04:45 +0800
Subject: SpamPrem- FROM MADAM JOY WILLIAMS

PLOT 204,WILSON CLIFFORD CLOSE VICTORIA ISLAND LAGOS,NIGERIA. PLEASE ENDEAVOR TO USE THE FUND FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED. Dear, I am the above named person . I am married to Dr. Kazeem williams, who worked with Kuwait embassy in Nigeria for nine years before he died in the year 2004. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both lived happily. Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home, When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of$12 Million (Twelve Million U.S. Dollars) with a security company. Presently, his money is still under the safe keeping of the security company.Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to my cancer problems. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke. Having known my condition, I decided to donate this fund to an organization or better still a faithful fearing individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here in.I want a fellow that will use this fund on, orphanages and widows assisting the needy and to ensure that the less privilege is well taking care of. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not reliale enough to inherit this fund and I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by unfaithful people. . I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner. Hence the reasons for taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health and as well because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about this development.all my emails are confidentially wrote by my nurse aid in the hospital. As soon as I receive your reply I will forward your personal information to my lawyer so that he will contact you as the legal owner of this fund before transferring the fund into your nominated Bank Account in your country. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the original-beneficiary of this fund. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated here in.Once I hear from you I will give to you a lawyer that I have contacted to personal contact as to get intouch with him and know what is required of you, as to be able to do the needed things. Hoping to hear from you as soon as possible. Thanks. My Very Best Regards, Madam Joy williams

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