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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: MARIA SHAH <mariashahhs82@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: maria_shah1@aol.co.uk
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2014 00:33:23 +0100
Subject: Waiting for you.



--

My greetings,

Based on your good profile,I am Mrs.Maria Shah, 58yrs old widow from
France based in UK, my husband and i worked with Tullow

oil Cote D’Ivoire and he died seven years ago, i have been diagnosed of
Endometrial cancer unfortunately for me my doctor

said i don't have any chance to survive except by a miracle i have spent
a lot of money on medical treatment yet no

improvement.
I want to donate this money to support churches and evangelism i also
want to help children and orphanages in your country by

donating this $5.3 Million dollars to charity as the only legacy i can
leave behind after my death, help me to fulfil this

goal before i die and please always remember to pray for me when i die
my soul will rest in peace.So,reply me with your

contact details.

Sincerely,

Mrs.Maria Shah,


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