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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: "CAROL BRIGGS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <carolbrggs2@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:41:34 -0800
Subject: Beloved kindly read and respond

BELOVED,

Please read this slowly and carefully, as it may be one of the most important emails you ever get.I am Mrs Carol Brigg from Greece. I was married to Late Mike Briggs.The Director of Veekrol Associates,a seasoned contractor in Asia and America.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 the sum of 5.2 Million USD in a bank and is now waisting there.

My Doctor told me that I would not last long due to cancer problem. Having known my condition I decided to donate this funds to better the lives of the less privileged. I need 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 organisations, 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 relatives are very unkind to me and I don't want my husbands hard earned money to be misused.I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my course and I shall hold my peace.As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank, and my Attorney. For legitimacy, he will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the original-beneficiary of this fund.

Kindly send your name and address including your phone number and occupation.

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.

Thanks,
Yours sincerely,
Mary.

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