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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Margaret Kelvin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <margaret_kelvin@live.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 01:34:55 +0100
Subject: Need your honest co-operation

Hello dear ,

The compliment of the season!!

Please handle this letter with maturity and topmost sincerity.

I am Mrs. Margaret. Louis Kelvin; I am married to Mr. George Kelvin, who worked as a foreign engineer with the railway corporation here in London for nine years before his death. We were married for eleven years without a child.

My Husband was among the death victims during the bomb blast here in London that occurred at the railway station in 2005. Before his death we were both good Christians and were highly dedicated most of our efforts in humanitarian project. Since 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 £4.5 Million (Four Million Five hundred thousand British Pounds sterling) with a bank here in London. This money was our gathered effort and hard labour for so many years.

Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Five months due to my cancer problems. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke because it affected one part of my leg. Having known my condition, I decided to donate this fund to an organization or better still a Good individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein.

I want a fellow that will use this fund on, orphanages, widows and the less privileged in the society. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not in good terms with me due to my inability to bear a child for him during our marriage period and I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by any of his relatives. I don't want a situation where this money will be used in a lavishing manner, hence the reasons for taking this humanitarian decision.

As soon as I receive your reply I will forward your personal information to my lawyer so that he will contact you for the procedure required to put your name as my next of kin beneficiary of this fund before the releasing of the fund by the bank into your custody in your country. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the original-beneficiary of this fund. The certificate of deposit which was issued to my Husband on the day of the deposit will also be sent to you alongside with the power of attorney (letter of authorization).

Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. Once I hear from you I will give to you the details of a lawyer that I have contacted to take care of this transaction, I mean his personal contact as to get in touch with him and know what is required of you, as to be able to transact with the bank for the claim of this fund, hoping to hear from you as soon as possible.

I would need your honest co-operation in this matter, if it something beyond your capacity, I am sorry you can forget about it because I really need someone who will be committed to this project and to ensure that the funds is well utilized on the less privileged. I look forward to your positive response to: Email: margaret_kelvin@live,com

My Very Best Regards,
Mrs. Margaret Kelvin Edward

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