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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 Cath Cole <mrscathcolebb141@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mrscathcole@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2011 07:22:37 +0000
Subject: Dear Trusted Friend



Dear Trusted Friend,

My name is Mrs. Cath Cole, widow of late Mr. Alex Cole, former owner of PETROLEUM AND GAS company ,here in Republic of Benin .I am 58years old, suffering from long time cancer of the breast. From all indications my condition is really deteriorating and it's quite obvious that I may not live more than 2 months according to my doctors.

This is because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. I don’t want your pity but I need your trust.

My late husband died early last year from heart attack, and during the period of our marriage we couldn't produce any child. My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business and wealth . The doctor has hinted me that I will not live for too long again, so I have now decided to spread all my wealth, to contribute mainly to the development of charity.

I am sorry if you are embarrassed by my mail. I found your e-mail address as a person that can work for Humanity and for over a month now that I have been praying to know if really you are working according to the direction of God. And after all my fasting and prayer I am convinced, and I have decided to contact you, but if for any reason you find this mail offensive, you can ignore it and please accept my apology.

Before my late husband died he was a major oil tycoon here in Republic of Benin and deposited the sum of 5million dollars (Five million dollars) in a Security company some years ago, that’s all I have left now, I need you to collect this funds and distribute it yourself to charities, So that when I die my soul can rest in peace.

The funds will be entirely in your hands and management. I hope God gives you the wisdom to touch very many lives, and that is my main concern.20% of this money will be for your time and effort, while 80% goes to charity.

Kindly get back to me through this email address ( mrscathcole@yahoo.com ) if you can work for God.

God bless you.
Mrs.Cath Cole.

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