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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: "Mrs.Catherine Beattie." <mrs.catherine@ubakam.netszok.pl>
Reply-To: mrs_catherinebeattie@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:55:11 +0200
Subject: Urgent Help Please !




Urgent Help Please !


Dear Beloved.

My name is Mrs.Catherine Beattie a British Merchant. I have been diagnosed
with Esophageal Cancer, which was discovered very late, due to my laxity
in caring for my health. This sickness has defiled all forms of medicine,
and right now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical
experts. I have since lost my power of speech and can only manage to
write now; as that has been the only way I am able to communicate.

I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for
anyone not even myself but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never
generous, I was always hostile to people and only focus on my business as
that is the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all, as I now know
that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money
in the world. I believe when the Almighty gives me a second chance to come
to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived
it.

Now that I know my time is near, I have willed and given most of my
properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members and as
well as a few close friends. I want nature and the Almighty God in Heaven
to be merciful to me and accept my soul and so, I have decided to give the
remains of my wealth to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of
the last good deeds I did on earth.

So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the
Caribbean Island, London/Ireland and Asia. Now that my health has
deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself any more. I once asked
members of my family to close one of my accounts in Switzerland and donate
the money in the account to the motherless/charity homes across Africa,
Europe and America organizations, they refused and kept the money to
themselves. I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended
with what I have left for them.

The last of my money which nobody knows about is (US$8.7M) cash deposit
that I have with a Trust Firm. I will want you to help me collect this
deposit and set up a charity organization in your country and make some
investment for future purpose.


Please let me know if you are interested in helping me out and making this
dream a reality.

May the Almighty God remain with you as you help.

Regards,

Mrs.Catherine Beattie.

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