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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 Margaret Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <marggysmith00@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2012 18:02:36 -0700
Subject: Hello My Dear,

Dear Beloved ,

It is by the grace of God that I received Christ, having known the truth; I had no choice than to do what is lawful and just in the sight of God for eternal life and in the sight of man for witness of God & His Mercies and glory upon my life.

I am Mrs. Margaret Smith , the wife of Mr. Christopher Smith , both of us are citizens of the united state of America. My husband worked with the Chevron/Texaco in Hong Kong for twenty years before he died in the year 2009. We were married for 14 years without a child. My Husband died after a brief illness. Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $4,500,000.00 USD with a Security Company , the deposit was made in my name by my late husband as we have no kids. Presently, I'm in a hospital in Hong Kong where I have been undergoing treatment for throat cancer. My doctor told me that I have only a few weeks to live. It is my last wish to see this money distributed to charity organizations and NGO anywhere in the World in helping human race. Please, I beg you in the name of God to help me Stand - in as the beneficiary and collect the Funds from the Security Vault. I want a person that is God-fearing

Please keep this conversation highly confidential between us because it matters most in my life at this moment. I have to rest now, please pray for me and reply as soon as possible through my private email ( marggysmith00@yahoo.co.jp ).

Remain Blessed.
Your Sister in the lord,
Mrs. Margaret Smith

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