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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: "Elizabeth Rich" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ceofirst0093@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2010 01:52:44 -0700
Subject: This project is for humanity

From: Elizabeth Rich

First, I must apologies to you for using this medium to communicate to you about this project I am the above named and I was married to Mr. Ronald Rich who worked with the British embassy in Kuwait for nine years before he died in June, 2008.We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.

When my late husband was alive he deposited a consignment containing the sum of (USD$8.5 Million Dollars) in cash with a security and finance company . Presently, this consignment is still with the security company and my doctor told me that I would not last for the next three weeks due to cancer problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to cancer research centers I am therefore looking for any individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct.

The person must also donate to orphanages, Research centers and widows propagating the word, I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money. I don't want a situation where this money gets into the wrong hands of my husband’s relatives hence I am taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health and the presence of my husband’s relatives around me always as they are very greedy and only hope that I die soon to enable them claim the rest of my husbands wealth hence I don't want them to know about this development. By his grace, all things are possible.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of an attorney who would help you for the immediate release of the consignment to you for the purpose i have just stated and I will also issue a letter of authority that will empower you as the new beneficiary of this consignment. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as stated herein. Hoping to hear from you. Be assured that it will not take more than 7 working days for you to receive the funds from the date you acknowledge receipt of this mail.

Awaiting your urgent reply

Remain Blessed,

Elizabeth Rich

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