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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 Victoria Gates <info.dept@fastwebmail.it>
Reply-To: <mrsvictoriag@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:47:17 +0100
Subject: letter to you

My dear friend, I know it will be a great surprise to you reading from me today but consider this a divine intervention. My Name is Mrs Victoria Gates I am 78 Years old from Oklahoma United State of America and reside at New York City .I have to be brief as i am very weak at the moment. I had a Joint business with my Late Husband who Died in a terrorist Attack September 11 attack 2001 along with my lovely Daughter in United State of America,on that fateful day i felt that the world have come to an end but i manage to live with the fate. I managed my late husbands investments and contracts until my present Medical Condition developed. Last year i experience restlessness and sleepless nights so my Doctor sent me on a general Medical Check up which i was finally diagnosed to have cancer of the blood cells ( Leukemia ) . Since i was not able to manage my multiple Investments anymore , i rather donate my money to the less privilege, orphanage homes and the Church than allow it been confiscate by government or people that i cannot trust. I deposited the total of £14,500.000.00 (Fourteen million five hundred thousand Great Britain Pounds) in cash with the Security Company in London after selling my properties in United Kingdom. The Doctors says that i will die soon as my health is now critical in the Hospital, i can not travel now or utilize the money so i will like you to help me Claim the Money at the Security Company in London , take 50 % for your troubles and been there for me during this time of difficulty and use the rest to change the lives of the less privileged in the society. I am writing this letter to you because my inner most spirit revealed to me that you can help, use my money for the work of Humanity and to assist the less privileged in the society, motherless baby homes/orphanages, Widows,people that need money to survive and Basic Needs. I know that my story will sadden your heart but my new found life has made me understand that even if we die in this physical flesh, What matters is life after death. let me have your word to use the money wisely as i grew up in an orphanage home too. I will let you know how to reach to the Security company in UK and information on how to Claim it as soon as i have your word and promise not to betray my trust. I await your response as soon as possible with your full name,address and telephone number so that i will hand over the documents for the claim to you before i pass unto glory , please reply urgently to this email and may you be blessed, Best Regards Mrs Victoria Gates

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