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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: Ayoub Mehdi <ayoub_mehdi101@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2014 17:58:35 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Charity Project


Dear Friend,
 
As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe everyone will die someday. My name is Ayoub Mehdi, a merchant in Dubai , in the U.A.E and i found your details in an international trading portal and you seemed trustworthy. I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer which was discovered very late, due to my laxity in caring 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 cared 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 cared for. But now I regret all these 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, 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 any more. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization 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 twenty four million dollars that I have with a Finance/security company.I will want you to help me collect this deposit and set up a Trust body that will invest the money in a high-yielding but risk-free venture and disburse the profits to charity organizations.
 
You will have 20% for your time and patience. Find attached some of my pictures in the hospital and I will still send you more.
 
Stay blessed.

Ayoub Mehdi

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