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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.Pamela Van Dyken <pamelavandyken@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: <info@pamelavanndykeen.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 2009 18:16:40 -0700
Subject: Hello

Dear Friend,
My name is Mrs.Pamela Van Dyken,59 years old deaf woman aging widow suffering from long time illness for diagnosed for cancer about 3 years ago. I have some funds inherited from my late husband,i needed a very honest and God fearing Person that will use the funds for Good work, motherless home,charitable funding or deaf centers, i found your email address from people search and decided to contact you. Please if you would be able to use the funds for the Good work, kindly reply for further details.
Your sincerely,
Mrs.Pamela Van Dyken


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