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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: "Mrs Mariam O Lee" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jegac3@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2012 12:45:27 +0200
Subject: DID YOU GET MY MESSAGE..

Dearest One

I appologize for my intrution on your privacy, i have a concern.

i am married to late Mr.Davis Lee, who worked with the United Nation
Office in Iraq for 18 years before he was killed in a Car bomb
accident. I have lived with the memories, fighting effortlessly to
live a normal life but all to no avail dear.

I suffered mentally and psychologically and shortly was diagnosed of
Cancer. I lived with the scourge praying earnestly for divine
intervention. Just two months ago, the doctor informed me that I have
just about three months more to live. I was not shocked. I accepted
the news in good faith.

Dear i have been looking for someone with prayers and faith.

Before my husband died, he deposited a sum of $8.3Million (Eight
Million, Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) with a bank in
benin.

I alone have the deposit details and they will release the deposit to
no one unless I instruct them to do so. The bank has no single idea of
what’s the history or nature of the deposit.

They are simply awaiting instructions to release the deposit to any
party that I may direct. This is the situation. I will simply nominate
you as the next of kin and have
them release the deposit to you.

I have wholeheartedly decided to donate the entirety of this fund to any
devoted believer or organization and to achieve this, I need an
individual that will utilize this funds adherently for these purposes:

1: For the sick, less-privileged and destitute.
2: For the Widows and the motherless babies e.t.c.
3: orphanages, Research centers and widows propagating. hope you understand me

These are the wishes of a dying woman. They are the desires of my
heart, hence my decision as I do not have a child to take over my
inheritance.
Please Dear, understand that I am not doing this because of fear of death. as I
am certain where my place already is.

All I need from you is Truthfulness, Honesty and Sincerity assuring me
that you can in all honesty and obedience utilize the funds for the
purpose with which it is meant. I'm a very spiritual person and i see
you to be that kind of person.. kind hearted

Please, do not see this as a strange possibility or an unbelievable
Opportunity to make wealth, rather see this as a rare chance to assist
the less privileged in truth and in spirit with a substance.

i have confided in you dear, please don't betray my confidence

God Bless You abundantly!
please try to make sure you reply to my private email which is jegac3@yahoo.com

Thanks
Mrs Mariam O Lee.

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