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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: Mark Fisher <mkmarkfishermf@earthlink.net>
Reply-To: Mark Fisher <mk.markfisher.mf@ovi.com>
Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 04:24:38 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Subject: From The Desk Of Mark Fisher

GOOD DAY FRIEND,

It is indeed my pleasure to write you this letter, which I believe will be a surprise to you as we have never met before, and I am deeply sorry if I have in any manner disturbed your privacy. Please forgive this unusual manner of contacting you. My name is Mr Mark Fisher , A British National. I have been diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer .It has defied 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 any one(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 a few close friends. With this hard reality that has befallen my family, and me I have decided to donate this fund to you and want you to use this gift which comes from my effort to fund the upkeep of widows, widowers, orphans, destitute, the down-trodden, physically challenged children, barren-women and persons who prove to be genuinely handicapped financially. It is often said that blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money and my relatives are bourgeois and very wealthy persons and I do not want my hard earned money to be misused or invested into ill perceived ventures. I do not 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 hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be with the Almighty when I eventually passion. The Almighty will fight my case and I shall hold my peace. I do not need any telephone communication in this regard due to my deteriorating health and because of the presence of my relatives around me. I do not want them to know about this development. With God all things are possible. The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of Ten Million dollars($10,000,000.00) in Two Consignments that I have with a finance and Security House here in the Uk. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Security Firm in the United Kingdom,i will also issued you with the certificate of deposit that will empower you to claim the funds. My happiness is that I lived a life worthy of emulation. Please always be prayerful all through your life. Please assure me that you will act just as I have stated here in. Hope to hear from you soon and God bless you and members of your family.Kindly contact me via my email:mk.markfisher.mf@ovi.com

Regards,
Mr Mark Fisher

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