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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: "JAMES THOMAS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <thomasjames2211@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:46:56 +0100
Subject: Dear Beloved

Dear Beloved,

My name is Mr. Thomas James, I am from Portugal.

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 believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would
live my life a different way from how I have lived it.Now that God has called
me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate and
extended family members as well as few close friends .

I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so, I have decided to give
to charity organizations and those in Need, 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 when I was well. 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 United States, Asia, Middle East & Europe, 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 Ten Million United States Dollars ($10,
000, 000.00) that I have with an Asset Management / Vaulting Company Abroad.

I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to charity
organizations and use it to help those in Need.N/B:Kindly note that 25% of this
funds must go to victims of Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina , Hurricane Wilma and
South Asia Earthquake , 55% to other Charity Organizations around the World and
20% for your effort and time.


I cannot talk with you on the phone due to my health situation, as I am using
my Lap Top Computer to communicate with you. You should respond to this e-mail
if you are interested in carrying out this assignment on my behalf.
God be with you.
Mr. Thomas James

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