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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: mbame <madam_sandra01@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:08:25 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Hello,


Hello,
 
I am mrs Sandra Mbame  from Botswana. I am married to Dr.Joseph Mbame  who worked with Botswana embassy in Leshoto for nine years before he died.
We were married for eighteen years with a child.My Husband died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. 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 2.865,000,00(two million Eight hundred and sixty five  thousand U.S.Dollars) in a bank in Abidjan-Cote D'Ivoire.
 
Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to cancer Problem. Though what disturbs me most is the stoke,Having known my condition I decided to look for a God fearing individual that will utilize this money to the glory of God to take care of my only child for better future.I took this decision because my only child is still young and can not manage this fund very well and my husband relatives are not happy with my husband's wealth when he was alife and through my prayers and the directions of God,I have found out that their hands is in my husband's  death and I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by evil men. I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner,hence the reason for taking this bold decision.
 
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the bank in Abidjan where my husband deposited the fund. Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for another person for this same purpose.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein and you will take care of my only child.
 
Hoping to hear from you soon.
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Mrs Sandra Mbame



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