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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. Mary Jane Makkelo" <mrsmjanee@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2013 19:38:23 +0100
Subject: WHY I CONTACTED YOU

Hello my dear,
Nice to meet you, I got your contact today via directory and picked
interest to disclose this important issue to you. I lost my husband
few years ago, before his death; he made a deposit of US$10.5 Million
in one of the reputable banks which I will inform you more. This money
was for the purchase of cocoa procession machines and development of
another factory, unfortunately he did not meet his target before his
untimely death.

My husband was a successful businessman before his death, since he
departed things have never been normal with the family members, they
have collected almost everything from me in the name of tradition
because my son is too young to fight for his right.

Since security here cannot be guaranteed besides, I have lost my
husband, I hereby ask you to do me a favour by standing as my foreign
business partner to enable the bank effect the transfer into your
account.

I have plans to invest this money in continuation with the investment
vision of my late husband, but not in this place again rather in your
country. I have the vision of going into real estate and industrial
production, please if you are willing to assist me and my only son
Ken, indicate your interest in replying soonest.
As soon as I receive your reply, I will forward you more details and
also discuss what will be your commission for the assistance.
I wait for your kind reply, have a nice day.

Thanks
Mrs. Mary Jane Makkelo

Anti-fraud resources: