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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: "Margaret Sawers" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sjaunther95@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2011 05:28:20 -0800
Subject: Greetings from Margaret

Sir/Madam.
Greetings to you,

I am Margaret Sawers from Australia married to Robin Sawers an Australian who worked with a Saudi Arabian oil company in Asia. But before his death during tsunami disaster,
we were married but without Children and after his death i fell sick and the doctor diagnosed that i have lung cancer and, have only but a few months to live.

I am contacting you in view of the fact that we could be of great assistance to each other, likewise developing a cordial business relationship towards helping the poor.
I want to re-profile the total sum of Seven Million-five Hundred United States dollars (7,500,000.00 USD) to establish a charity foundation on my name to keep memories
alive.
i need someone that is trustworthy that can help in establishing my dream.If you are capable and trustworthy, I? ready to give you 10% of the total sum, On your response.
God Bless,
Margaret Sawers.

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