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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: "Margaret Jacob" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <margaretjacob00@gmx.de>
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 16:30:12 -0000
Subject: CHARITABLE APPOINTEE

Dear Beloved,

I am Mrs. Margaret Jacob, a widow of 65 years, suffering from cancer of the breast, my husband died 2004 after suffering diabetes for several years.

My condition is serious and according to my doctor, it is obvious that I might not survive. I have some funds that my late husband deposited with a finance house, the amount deposited is Five Million, Nine Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($5,900,000.00). My husband before he died has always wanted to reach out to the poor and needy, so he insisted the funds should be used strictly for that purpose.

The funds is presently in the finance company. After my prayers, I searched the internet, I found your email address and I decided to contact you for the usage of the funds to help the sick, less privileged and if possible for God's work.

Therefore, if you are honest and faithful enough to use this fund strictly for the purpose it is meant for, your response will be highly appreciated.
Please reply to these my email address margaretjacob00@gmx.de

FULL NAME
DATE OF BIRTH
TELEPHONE NUMBER
FAX NUMBER
PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS AND POSTAL ADDRESS
OCCUPATION
AGE.

Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Margaret Jacob.
margaretjacob00@gmx.de

Anti-fraud resources: