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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: "bashir Ahmed" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bashirahmed009@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:39:07 +0100
Subject: CHARITY WORKER NEEDED.

Dear beloved,
My name is Bashir Ahmed, A Bahrain national,I have been diagnosed with
Oesophageal 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 allthe money in
the world. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world
I wouldlive 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 bas 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. So far, I have Distributed money to some
charityorganizations in the U.A.E, Somalia and Malaysia. 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 forthem.
The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of
Twelve Million,six hundred thousand dollars($12,600,000,00) that I have with
a finance House abroad. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and
despatch it to charity organizations. N/B:KINDLY NOTE THAT 20% of this funds
must go to the tsunami victims and another 10% for your effort and time.
Regards.
Bashir Ahmed.

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