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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: " Rick Burner" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drphillipbrown@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:04:59 -0000
Subject: FROM ME RICK BURNER

 
 
 
Please do not ignore the importance of this message. My name is Rick Burner, I am a 42 year old American but presently I am undergoing a medical treatment in London UK.
I may be dead when you will be reading this message because I have less than 48 hours to live according to the medical report. I was diagnosed two months ago with ALS(Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) which has left me paralyzed. I am writing you from my bed with the aid of oxygen.
I am not afraid of death because as  a Christian i know that it is appointed  unto man once to die  and  after that the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
I believe what matters in life in the legacy you live behind when you die. In my life i have contributed generously towards the well being of many people through donating to many individuals and peoples alike.
I have inherited a large sum of money and this has made me to donate part of the money and relief materials to different charity organizations and individuals around the world.
Now that i have know my present life condition have decided to donate my last savings of £500,000 to you. I want you to use the money for your well being and that of other people around you. This is just my contribution to humanity.
I am a strong believer of the Christian faith and I understand what the bible preaches about giving to charity. I understand the type of sufferings and neglect many people are subjected to across the world due to economic hardship. I know my contribution might not be enough to settle all the problems around the world but I want you to use this money the best you can
When you receive this message, please reply to Dr Phillip Brown. He is the doctor who has been taking care of me in this hospital. I have confided in him about my decision of giving the money to you and have handed to him the name and address of the bank where I deposited the money. In the picture is Dr Phillip Brown beside me while i write this message to you.
He will give you the name of the bank and you have to write the bank to release the money to you.
So you have to reply to the doctor through his personal email address(drphillipbrown@hotmail.couk) so he would give you the direction to get the money from the bank..
 
Take care and may God bless you.
 
Regards
Ricky Burner

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