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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: "Peter Van Edgar" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 19:16:54 +0530
Subject: I SEEK YOUR ASSISTANCE

Dear Sir/Madam

As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe
everyone will die someday.My name is Peter Van Edgar, a merchant in Dubai,
in the U.A.E.I have been diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer which was
discovered very late, due to my laxity in carrying for my health. It has
defiled all forms of medicine, and right now I have only about a few months
to live, according to medical experts.

I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really care for
anyone not even myself but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never
generous, I was always hostile to people and only focus on my business as
that was the only thing I care for. But now I regret all this as I now know
that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money
in the world. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this
world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now
that God has called me, I have willed and given most of my properties and
assets to my immediate and extended family members and as well as a few
close friends.

I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul and so, I have decided to
give alms to charity organizations and give succor and comfort to the less
privileged in our societies, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds
I do on earth.

So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E,
Algeria and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot
do this my self anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one of
my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity
organization and to the less privileged in Bulgaria and Pakistan, they
refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them
anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them.
The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of fourteen
million dollars($14m) that I have with a Bank in Europe for safe keeping.
I will want you to help me collect this deposit and disburse it to some
charity organizations and to the less privileged.

N/B:Kindly note that 35% of this funds must go to victims of Tsunami,
Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Wilma and South Asia Earthquake, 50% to other
Charity Organizations around the World and 15% for your effort and time.

I cannot talk with you on the phone due to my health situation, as I am
using my Lap Top Computer to communicate with you. You should respond to
this e-mail p.vanedgar@gmail.com . If you are interested in carrying
out this assignment on my behalf.

Please send me a mail to indicate if you will assist me in this disbursement
E-mail: p.vanedgar@gmail.com.

I await to hear from you, may God be with you and your entire family.

Remain Blessed,
Peter Van Edgar.

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