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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: "Mrs.Annabel Higgins" <sweetfrancacam@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: ahigs@live.com
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 2009 06:35:59 -0400
Subject: DEARLY BELOVED,CAN I TRUST YOU?

Please read this slowly and carefully as it may be one of the most important emails you ever get.I am Mrs.Annabel Higgins I was married to Late Eric Higgins.He used to work with Shell Petroleum Development Company London and was also a seasoned contractor in the Asian Region.He died on Monday 31 July 2003 in Paris. We were married for seven years without a child.After his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home.When my late husband was alive he deposited he sum of GBP 5.2 Million in a bank in London which is now wasting and languishing there.My Doctor told me that I would not last long due to my complicated health issues I have cancer.Having known my condition I decided to donate this funds to better the lives of the less privileged.I need an honest and trust worthy individual that will utilize this money in accordance with my instruction.I want the funds to be used in funding religious organizations orphanages and less privileged propagating the word of God.I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband's relatives are very unkind to me and I don't want my husband's hardearned money to be misused.I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going.I know that I am goingto be in the bosom of the Lord. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank and my Attorney in London.For legitimacy he will also issue you a letter of authorization that will empower you as the original-beneficiary of this fund. I want you to always pray for me Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for another individual for this same purpose.If you are not interested kindly pardon me for contacting you. You can reach me with my alternate email address (ahigs@live.com) Thanks Yours sincerely Mrs.Annabel Higgins.

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