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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: "Mr Charles Brown" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <charles_brownjn@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:09:51 +0530
Subject: DEAR EMAIL ACCOUNT HOLDER

My Beloved,
I am sorry if this letter comes to you as an embarrassment but be rest Assured that I got your particulars of contact through the UNITED KINGDOM chambers of commerce, for reliable and capable foreigner that will handle Confidentially a Godly assignment on my behalf and at the same time make a good home in heaven for him/herself.
I am Mr Charles Brown, a Briton by who is suffering from cancerous ailment. I am married to Mrs, Sarah Brown, who also is a Briton though dead now. Our marriage lasted for over a decade without any fruit of the womb. My wife died after a protracted illness.
My wife and I made a vow to uplift the down-trodden and the less-privileged individuals within the United Kingdom, Europe, North and South America, Africa and the rest of the globe as she had passion for persons who can not help themselves due to physical disability or financial predicament. I can adduce this to the fact that she needed a Child from this relationship, which never came.
Myself and my late wife Invested the sum of USD$20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million United States Dollars) in an International Trading Program with the Joint stock (commercial) international industrial investment bank(BARCLAYS BANK LONDON).Presently, this money is still with the Bank.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I have a limited or numbered days on earth and that my life span will not exceed 50 days due to the 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, I have decided to donate this fund to a non-governmental, or a non religious, and a non profit organization such as club/society or better still an individual,that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here in.
This gift which comes from myself and my late wife sweat, is meant to fund the upkeep of widows, widowers, orphans, destitute, the down-trodden,physically challenged children, barren-women,life-long education for student, positive society upbringing and persons who prove to be genuinely handicapped financially.
It is often said that blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money and my wife relatives are bourgeois and very wealthy persons and I do not want our 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 hence I know where I am going to be with the Almighty God when I eventually pass on. The Almighty God will fight my case and I shall hold my peace. I do not need any telephone communication in this regard due to my deteriorating health and because of the presence of my wife relatives around me. I do not want them to know about this development.
With God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the bank. I will also issue you a Letter of Authorization that will empower you as the original beneficiary of this fund. My happiness is that I lived a life worthy of emulation. Please always be prayerful all through your life.
Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for a non-governmental, or a non religious, and or a non profit organization or better still an individual for this same purpose.  Please assure me that you will act just as I have stated herein.
Hope to hear from you soon and God bless you and members of your family. Please get back to me via my private e-mail: charles_brownjn@yahoo.com
Regards,
Mr. Charles Brown (Benefactor).

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