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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 WILLIAMS <gtmailc@gmail.com>
Reply-To: hellenwilliams2000@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 00:56:41 -0400
Subject: PLEASE HELP ME



Dearest Dear Friend,

Let me first of all inform you, I got your e-mail contacts from a
social network and decided to mail you for permission to continue. I
am Mrs.HELEN WILLIAMS, and married to Major.GB WILLIAMS, from USA,
Major Robert Williams,was American Marine soldier with Swiss
background, serving in Iraq with the army 3rd infantry division, that
took his life ,before he died in the war disaster, we were married but
without any children.
Since his death I decided not to remarry, and not until now I am 54 years old.

When my late husband was Alive he saves the sum of ($ 22.37,000) from
that money wish was found in Baghdad
neighborhood,{http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm} this
sum is with a bank, Currently, and the bank management just wrote me
as the beneficiary to come forward to receive this money or rather
Issue a letter to someone to get permission to my account when I can
not figure' my health .i am currently in the hospital where I have
been undergoing treatment of lung cancer in a hospital.

I have since lost the ability to talk and my doctors told me that I
just have some months to live. I want a person who is trustworthy that
will utilize this money to fund churches, orphanages and widows around
the world but in my name {Mrs. HELE WILLIAMS FOUNDATION} .Once I
receive your reply I shall give you all the information you need that
will help us.

On your response I will also issue you a letter of authority that will
present you as the new beneficiary of this fund. Please assure me
that you will act accordingly as I stated herein and Keep this contact
confidential until the time the found get into your custody. This is
to ensure that nothing jeopardizes my last wish on Earth.
I await your urgent response.
God bless you,
MOTHER Helen
Note
On my nest mail I will send you my pictures and some information about
me thanks.

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