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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mat Johnson" <matjohnson700@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: matjohnson7000@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:58:27 -0000
Subject: Re: !!! Hello Help The Victim One !!!




My Dearest One Hello,

My name is Mat Johnson, a business merchant in Dubai, Arab. I have been
diagnosed with Cancer which was discovered very late, due to my laxity in
caring for my health. It has defiled all forms of medicine, Right now I
have only about a few months to live, according to my Medical Doctor. I
have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for
myself but the oil business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous,
I 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 so much believe that if God gives me a second chance and heal me I would
live my life a different way from how I have lived it. I have sowed a seed
for my healing 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 pray that God will be merciful on me and accept my soul, I have decided
to give arms to charity organizations and give comfort to the less
privileged of the Tsunami Victims, as I want this to be one of the last
good deeds I do on earth.

So many occasions i have distributed money to some charity organizations
in India and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I
cannot do this my self anymore. I once asked members of my family to close
one of my accounts in Saudi Bank and distribute the money which I have
there to charity organization and to the less privileged in Bulgaria and
Sudan Africa They cashed the money but kept it only to themselves. From
now hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended
with what I have left for them already.

The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of
twenty two million dollars $ 22 million that I have in the Vault of a
financial company in Europe for safe keeping. I want you to collect this
deposit on my behalf and disburse it to the Tsunami Earthquake victims in
Asia for the less privileged.

I have set aside 20% for you for your time and efforts. I need your urgent
reply so that I will not have to go on searching for an incredible person
to handle this project.

If you are okay with the condition, reply back to me so that I will
furnish you up with all the information's needed. I will wait to hear from
you.

May almighty God bless you for your understanding

Mat Johnson.

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