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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: "David Ellis" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dellis279@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2011 13:24:18 +0100
Subject: FOR YOUR ATTENTION


My name is DAVID ELLIS of United Kingdom, I have been diagnosed with chronic Esophageal cancer in July 2010. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical experts. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my business.

Please do not think this proposal is one of those being sent by internet fraudsters over the years to ask for money later on.Though I am very rich,I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this 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 God gives me a second chance, I will live my life differently and a better person.

In the past one year i have been donating my money, to charity organizations in U.A.E, lndia, Somalia and Malaysia and considering my present predicament, I have willed most of my estate and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few closed friends. It has now done on me that there is more to life after all so, I have decided to give a portion of my estate to charity organizations, as a token of my contribution to mankind.

So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E,lndia, Somalia and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore. I once liquidated one of my accounts and delegated family members and close associates to distribute the money to charity organization in Bulgaria and Pakistan, I later
discovered through my auditors that there was fraud in the distribution of money to the Charities (selfishness). Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have given and left for them. So, if my family members can do that to me, why not trust a total stranger.

As soon as I receive your positive response I will let you know the name of the finance institution where my last bulk sum is deposited, which is Fourteen Million, Five Hundred thousand United States Dollars Only and I will let you know more details of this project.

Finally, I am soliciting for your assistance to help in transferring the aforementioned sum into your bank account and to distribute 80% of this sum to Charity organizations like the earthquake and flood victims in Haiti and elsewhere in the world, churches,educational institutions, hospitals that are not properly equipped with cancer equipment,HIV/AIDS organizations and any other charity organizations of your choice; my solicitor is going to assist in preparing all the relevant documents in your name that will enable my bank release the funds to you with no risk involved, it is 100% risk free.

Please reply to dellis279@aol.com

I have set aside 20% for your time.

God be with you.
DAVID ELLIS

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