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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. Patricia Okere" <mrspatriciaokere@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Dec 2013 02:14:59 -0800
Subject: Frm Mrs. Patricia Okere

My dear.
I know this may come to you as a surprise, t please i am very serious,
please
My name is Mrs.Patricia Okere. I am a widow being that I lost my husband as
a result of prolonged sickness which was latter diagnosed to be HIV. My
husband, was a business man until his health deteriorated to his death .
Following a political uprising in ivory coast, we relocated to Togo.
Before his death, he had a fix deposit account in a bank here in Togo up to
the tune of $5m which he told me was for the importation of cocoa
processing machine. However, recently, after myself experiencing repeated
sickness, I too was diagnosed to have HIV as well and since then, I had
been managing my life secretly, but right now due to my bad health
condition. Thank God we had our daughter long time before this unfortunate
sickness and she is completely negative fom the virus. I am afraid of how
long I will last now , If I eventually die, the tradition of this place do
not allow women and female in general to inherit any properties from the
home. The tradition and culture will deny my only daughter this only money
we have for her living if I eventually pass on without any solid
arrangement for that.

This is my reason for writing to you. I wish you to do me a favor to
receive this fund in a safe account in your country as the beneficiary so
that you will invest it in a good business venture for the benefit and
education of our only daughter, Miss Moji who will be coming to stay under
your kind custody after the transfer for her safety, education and future
livelihood, my health is failing me. Initially, I had plans to do
investments with the money, as I cannot handle cocoa production but my
health cannot warrant that anymore. Please if you are willing to assist us
contact me as soon as possible indicating your interest. We have mapped out
30% for your cordial assistance and 5% for any expenses which may be
incurred in the course of the transaction as your personal gift. Finally if
you have any question regarding this, please do not hesitate to ask. There
is no risk whatsoever in this, this is not a scam, the money is legally
acquired by husband and I have every documents relating to his business. I
await your quick reply.
Thanks and God Bless.

Mrs. Patricia.

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