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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: "SARAH CAMPBELL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info@the-npa.co.cc>
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2010 08:49:07 -0000
Subject: DEAR FRIEND.

My Beloved,
Good day to you and family.
I sincerely apologize if this mail took you by surprise or do not suit your personal/business ethics. I resorted to contact you via email due to the nature of my genuine intentions and confidentiality.
First and foremost let me begin with self introduction; I am Sarah Campbell, married to Late Eng. John Campbell who was English by birth. Before his death, he was into private practice and a very caring husband. It is however unfortunate that there was no heir apparent having been married for three decade. While my late husband was protracted with serious ill health, I and my husband made a vow, to uplift the DESTITUTE; we were strongly passionate for the LESS PRIVILEGED in the society having no child from our life as a happy couple.

My late husband deposited the sum of GBP20,000,000.00 (TWENTY MILLION GREAT BRITAIN POUND STERLING) derived from his vast estates and investment in capital market with a Financial Institution while he was still alive and till now this money is still with the Financial Institution. Just last week, my Doctor informed me that I have limited number of days to live due to the (LEUKAEMIA) cancerous problems I am suffering from. Though what bothers me most is the stroke that I have in addition to the cancer. 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 husband’s 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.
I took this decision because I do not have children that will inherit this money and my husband's relatives are bourgeois and very wealthy persons. I do not want my husband’s 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 .I know where I am going. My only wish and desire is to touch the lives of people even in the last days of my life I know that the Almighty will fight my case and I shall hold my peace.
Please be a responsible and well respected individual in the society to reply this email. I want to be sure that I am leaving these estates with the right person who will carry out my wishes and not someone who will squander our wealth for the vain things of this life. My lawyer will legally transfer the right of ownership of my estates to you, and I shall furnish you with his contact information when I receive your reply strictly through my confidential email address: info@the-npa.co.cc
Delay in your reply will not be of benefit to me due to my deteriorating health condition and this will propel me to search for someone else. Please always be prayerful all through your life and assure me that you will act just as I have stated herein. I sincerely do hope to hear from you soon. God bless you and members of your family always.

USE “REQUEST” AS YOUR MAIL SUBJECT.

Sarah Campbell.
info@the-npa.co.cc

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