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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: "mary jack" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <maryjack2002@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2010 13:42:01 +0100
Subject: Please Read & Respond Fast.

BELOVED,

Please read this slowly and carefully as it may be one of the most important emails you ever get.
I am Mrs Mary Jack from Greece. I was married to Late Mike Jack,the director of Veekrol Link
Nig.Ltd,a seasoned contractor in West African Region.who died on Monday, 31 July, 2003 in Paris.

We were married for seven years without a child. After 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 $5.2 Million USD in a bank in Nigeria which is now wasting there.

My Doctor told me that I would not last long due to cancer problem. Having known my condition
I decided to donate this funds to better the lives of the less privileged. I need honest
and trust worthy individual that will utilize this money in accordance with my instruction.
I want the funds to be used in funding religious organisations, orphanages and less
privileged propagating the word of God.

I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my
husband relatives are very unkind to me and I don'twant my husbands hard earned money
to be misused.I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that
I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will
fight my course and I shall hold my peace.As soon as I receive your reply I shall
give you the contact of the Bank, and my Attorney in Nigeria. For legitimacy,
he will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the
original-beneficiary of this fund.


I want you to always pray for me. Any delay in your reply will give me room in
sourcing for another individual for this same purpose.

Thanks,
Yours sincerely,
Mary.

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