419 scam: Shari <shadakkkshari@aim.com> Dear Friend.

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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- shadaksharii@aim.com (AOL Instant Messenger; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Shari <shadakkkshari@aim.com>
Reply-To: shadaksharii@aim.com
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:05:44 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend.

Dear Friend.

As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I
believe everyone will die someday. My name is Shadak Shari, a merchant
in U.A.E, 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, according to medical experts. I have not particularly
lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone(not even
myself)but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I
was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that
was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now
know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all
the money in the world.

I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate
and extended family members as well as a few close friends. I have
decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be
one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed
money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, Algeria and
Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do
this myself anymore.

I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and
distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in
Bulgaria and Pakistan, they refused and kept the money to themselves.
Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended
with what I have left for them.

The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of
seven million euros ?7,000,000,that I have with a finance/firm Company
abroad. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched
it to charity organizations.

I have set aside 10% for you for your time and patience.please send
a reply through this email address( shadaksharii@aim.com )with your
full contact information for more private and confidential
communication.

yours truly,

Mr Shadak Shari.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam