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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. CAROLINE ANDERSON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.carolineanderson@ymail.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:54:34 -0700
Subject: MY DEAR FRIEND, PLEASE CAN I TRUST YOU?

My Dear Friend,
 
Sorry this email may come to you as an unsolicited mail, but I hope that peace is with you as you read this letter. My intuition tells me that I can trust you with my proposition. I received your contact through my email directory and my inner voice suggested that I send this money to you.
 
You know how painful it is for someone to lose a loved one. We are all mortals and we don’t live so long and then that's it, I know that not many can state this fact. I had three areas of my body which I lost, my thyroid gland, then it moved to my lungs. I have had special treatments with radium and Iodine and a lot of scans that are nuclear. Also my bladder has been removed and that was a bit more than what it is worth. There are all sorts of problems that come after the cancer and operations. So, I know that I am not going to make it. I decided to contact you so that you will assist invest this money to help the poor people and destitute.
 
I am a widow and a devoted Christian. My name is Mrs. Caroline Anderson, and I live in Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, London UK. Since my husband died, I have been suffering from arthritis. Just this summer less than, my doctor diagnosed me with terminal cancer. I have approximately three months to live. I am currently confined to a wheelchair, and Waiting for God to call me.
 
Before my husband died, he left me a large sum of money worth GBP8.6 Million British Pounds. And he made me promise that this fund should be used for humanitarian work and real Estate Investment. We have no child you see, and my husband didn't want any of his brother or sister to inherit this fund because they are greedy and not trustworthy. This money is currently being held by the bank, awaiting the proper recipient. It is up to me to decide who will gain access to it. If you promise me that you will use this money to achieve the wish of my Husband, then I will instruct the bank to release the contents of the vault in your name without any delay.
 
If you agree to use the money for humanitarian purposes, I will need the following information from you:
 
Full Name....................
Home Address.................
Age/Occupation..............
Valid Phone number............
Your Country........
Any Of Your Identity Card........
 
God bless you as you walk in the light and glory. Please kindly send the reply to my private email address: mrs.caroline_anderson@yahoo.com  OR  mrs.carolinea@ymail.com
 
Thanks
 
Yours in Vineyard,
Mrs. Caroline Anderson

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