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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. SARAH ATUL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrssarah@virgingroupvirtual.org>
Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 08:23:51 -0800
Subject: HELLO

HELLO

WITH A VERY DESPERATE NEED FOR ASSISTANCE, I HAVE SUMMED UP COURAGE TO CONTACT YOU. PRESENTLY WORKING IN SYRIA NOW AND DESPERATELY NEEDS TO RELOCATE TO YOUR COUNTRY AND THIS IS WHY I DESIRE TO CONTACT YOU.

I AM MRS. SARAH ATUL THE WIFE OF LATE ENGINEER ATUL A SYRIAN INDUSTRIALIST AND MEMBER OF SYRIAN BUSINESS MEN IN COUNCIL DAMASCUS. AFTER THE DEATH OF MY HUSBAND, MY FAMILY IS UNDER THREAT OF PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD FOR OUR RESOLUTE SUPPORT FOR A TRUE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN SYRIA THAT IS WHY THEY KILLED MY HUSBAND.

DUE TO THE CURRENT DISTURBANCES IN THE COUNTRY MANY FAMILIES ARE RUNNING FOR DEAR LIVES AS SOLDIERS ARE KILLING CIVILIANS, WOMEN AND CHILDREN. I WANT TO BRING TO YOUR NOTICE THAT I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION THE SUM OF 15.700.000USD. THIS IS THE MONEY ME AND MY HUSBAND HAVE SAVED FOR OUR ENTIRE LIFE AS AN INDUSTRIALIST.

I SECRETLY LOCKED UP THE MONEY IN TRUNK BOX AND DEPOSITED IT WITH THE RED CROSS HERE IN DAMASCUS. MY SINCERE INTENTION IN WRITING YOU IS TO PLEAD WITH YOU TO KINDLY ACCEPT THE MONEY BOX. THIS IS BECAUSE WE CANNOT DO ANY BANK TRANSFERS FROM HERE FOLLOWING THE WAR. THESE ARE THE MAJOR ISSUES OF CONCERN TO ME NOW. I WILL GIVE YOU 30% OF THE MONEY.

I HAVE TO TAKE THIS CHANCE BECAUSE I HAVE NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE BUT TO TRUST SOMEBODY. I AM AN ORPHAN WITH NO BROTHER OR SISTER SO I CAN NOT RISK MY LIFE HERE TO AVOID AN END TO MY FAMILY LINEAGE. AS A WOMAN SINCE MY HUSBAND IS DEAD, ALL I HAVE IS MY TWO KIDS. THEY DESERVE A DECENT LIFE SINCE I WANT HIM TO GROW UP IN A PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT. I WILL RELOCATE TO YOUR COUNTRY WITH MY KIDS AND INVEST THE MONEY IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW, YOUR ADVICE AND SUPPORT; WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND ACHIEVE A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR FAMILIES.

IF POSSIBLE, MAY I REQUEST YOU TO SEND ME YOUR INFORMATION ONLY IFYOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THIS REQUEST? THIS IS PURELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF SENDING THE MONEY TO YOU. THE INFORMATION NEEDED IS: YOUR FULL NAME, YOUR PHONE NUMBER (MOBILE), YOUR FULL ADDRESS.

I ANTICIPATE YOUR POSITIVE RESPONSE AND ON RECEIPT OF YOUR INFORMATION I WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH FURTHER DETAILS. AN ACCEPTANCE OF MY OFFER CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND MINE TOO.

SINCERELY,

MRS. SARAH ATUL

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