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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: Aminatu Hayatu <aminatuhayatu@despeeple.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:38:29 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Assalam Aliekum.


Assalam Aliekum.
 
Dear Beloved In one United God Allah,
>From Mrs Aminatu Hayatu
 
I am the above named person from Tunisia but now been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and have been in the hospital in England,I know asa human that you will feel for me,but the best thing you can do for me is to help me with this my proposal.
 
 I was married to Dr, Ali  hayatu. an Algerian, a crude Oil dealer and lastly worked as Algerian Ambassador in Lome Republic of Togo for years before he died in the year 2006. We were both married for eleven years without children. My illness has defied all forms of Medical treatment, and right now I have about few months to live, according to the medical experts. Having known my condition and believing the doctor I have decided to donate this fund to avoid total loss to less privilege, organizations, individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein.
My husband died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both good Muslims and since his death I decided not to re-marry. My late Husband was wealthy and left properties and cash for me in bank fixed deposit accounts and shares.
 
I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on this planet earth before anything could happen. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations hear in England, Algeria, Malaysia and also the Tsunami victims. 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 this huge cash deposit of Two million five hundred thousand united states dollars  ($2.5 Million U.S.) Dollars  that I have with one local bank in Africa which I will disclose to you later I receive your reply and interest. I would want you to help me Collect this deposit and distribute it to charity organizations in your country. I would want you to keep 20% of the funds to yourself and dispatch the rest to charity organizations.
 
I am interested to use this last fund for the propagation of Allah work in any form and for charity, like building Clinics, Mosque, school, orphanage, library and drilling of water for the orphans, local community, helping also the widows, Old Aged, and people living with HIV AIDS who can not afford to pay for health, school and foodstuff or otherwise in relation to Allah work.
 
The Holy Quoran made us to understand that it is more blessed to give than to receive. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are fighting over the properties and I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by their greedy attitude.
I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an UNGODLY manner, hence the reason for taking this bold decision.
I am not afraid of death since I am a good believer. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of Allah. The Holy Quoran says that the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace.
 
I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health and because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about this development. With God all things are possible. Please do not fail to spread the funds across the globe.
 
Yours Mrs Aminatu Hayatu

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