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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: "James David"<jd@inc.com>
Reply-To: <jamesdavid45@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 08:25:38 +0100
Subject: hello

Dear Beloved,

I am James David, A United Kingdom national I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live. I am very rich, but was never generous, I have given most of my assets to my immediate family members. And also I once asked members of my family to give some money to charity organizations, they refused and kept the money for personal enrichment. I have decided to give alms to charity organizations. I cannot do this myself anymore because of my health. I have a huge cash deposit of Thirteen Million dollars in a security company abroad. I will want you to help me collect this boxes deposit and dispatch it to charity organizations. You will take out 15% of this funds for your assistance.

The fund is safe and kept in a financial institution in Foreign country and I have been using the security company for over 13yrs now. Because of the selfish attitude of my immediately relative over mismanagement of my fund, i have decided to look for a foreigner and a good minded person. As i do not have any use for such money myself, at least not in my present age and state of health. I will be going to the hospital anytime soon for a major operations. Except it pleases God, the chance of my survival is slim. I have been led by the spirit to contact you having the hope that you will handle this project well to the glory of God. I wait for your response to accept this offer to show tenderness, love and mercy to the less privileged people in your country & other places around the globe as directed by the spirit of God in you.

Stay Blessed.

James David

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