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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: "Mrs. Veronica Wilson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsveronicawilson1954@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2010 03:32:01 +0100
Subject: GOD BLESS YOU

Greetings
I know that this letter may be a very big surprise to you, I am giving you my trust
And wish you will give me back the trust i have given you. I believe that you will be
Honest to fulfill my final wish before I will die.

I am Mrs. Veronica Wilson from CI, I am 58 years old, I am suffering from a long time
Cancer of the breast. From all indication my condition is really deteriorating, and my
Doctors have courageously advised me that I may not live beyond next month, this is
Because the cancer stage has reached a critical stage. I was brought up in a
Motherless baby’s home, and was married to my late husband for twenty years
Without a child. My husband and I are true Christians, but quite unfortunately, he
Died in a fatal motor accident.

Since his death I decided not to re-marry, I sold all my inherited belongings and
Deposited all the sum of $4.2million dollars with a Financial Company. Presently, this
Money is still in their custody, and the management just wrote me as the legitimate
Depositor to inform me of the maturity date of my deposit or rather issue a letter of
Authorization to somebody to receive it on my behalf since I can not come over as a
Result of my illness, or they get it confiscated.

It is my last wish to see that this money is been invested into a very good LUCRATIVE
VENTURE of your choice that will be giving out proceeds to be distributed each year
Among the charity organization, the poor and the motherless baby’s orphanage
Homes and widows around. I must let you know that this was a very hard decision,
But I had to take a bold step towards this issue because I have no further option.

I hope you will help see my last wishes come true.

Please kindly write me back for more details.

Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Veronica Wilson

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