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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 Brenda Gerald" <brenda_white@live.com>
Reply-To: brenda_white@sify.com
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:18:25 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Dearest Beloved




Dearest Beloved,

I am Brenda, a nurse and an elder in the catholic church. I was married to
the Late Sir Gerald White who worked with the British Judicial Commission
in Chelsea, England for over a decade before he died on 5th of July in the
year 2005.

I am presently struck with cancer and because I could not bear kids, I
have no one to inherit my late husband's estate. Please accept to stand as
the Next of Kin/beneficiary to my late husband and receive his estate, the
money will be transferred to your personal bank account in your state city
with the assistance of my private lawyer whom will prepare all the
required Legal Certificates. The money is meant for the project for the
less privileged and down trodden in our society so do not be afraid of
anything related to scam or
terrorist.
One last thing my dearest, please use this money for its purpose as it is
my late husband's dying wish and also 'God's plan'...
I will be very glad to hear from you.
My Email address is: brenda_white@sify.com

Thank you and God bless You,
Brenda Gerald


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