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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: DIANA DIRK <diana.dirk1@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: dirk.diana@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 16:48:17 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Please Reply Urgent From Mrs Diana Dirk




Please Reply Urgent From Mrs Diana Dirk

Dearest in Christ.

With Due Respect and Humanity, I was compelled to write to you under a humanitarian ground.

My name is Mrs.Diana Dirk, I was married to late Dr. Chris Dirk, a contractor and diamond dealer for Thirty-two years before he died in the year 2008.
He died after a brief illness that lasted only four days. Before his death, we are both born again Christians. Since after his death, I decided not to marry again. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $1.8 Million in a Bank in Abidjan and the money is still there.

Recently, My Doctor told me about my condition due to my cancer problem and having known my condition. I have decided to handle over this money to a HONEST and GOD fearing Individual, whether Moslem or christain,group or generation that will utilize this fund for the services of mankind, helping the motherless homes, orphans, widows, propagating of the Gospel and missionaries, as desired by my late husband when he was alive.

I took this decision because I don't have any child to inherit this fund, and I don't want this money to be used ungodly. I want you to always remember me in your daily prayers because of my upcoming Cancer Surgery, although I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going.

Write back to me as soon as possible because any delay in your reply will give me opportunity to look for another person for this same purpose.

With God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply, I shall give you other information’s on how you can receive this money from the bank. I will be glad to hear from you soon.

May God bless and keep us as we seek to serve him.

Yours in Christ.

Mrs. Diana Dirk

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