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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: Shelley Epstein <shelleyrepstein@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Shelley Epstein <shelleyrepstein@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2014 03:46:04 -0700
Subject: Urgent: Need Help

Sorry to bother
you with this, I took a urgent visit to Ukraine to see my sick cousin
who is suffering from a critical Uterine fibroid and must undergo a
hysterectomy surgery to save her life. The news of her illness arrived
to me as an emergency, she's going through a lot of pain at the moment
and she needs family support to keep her going.

The
doctors have advised that it is necessary that the tumor is operated
soon to avoid any complications. I hope you understand my plight and
pardon me.The estimate for the Hysterectomy surgery is $9,000. I have
already spent approx. $6,200 cash towards her treatment so am wondering
if you can assist me with a loan of $2,800 to make the necessary
arrangement for the surgery to be carried out.Your help and support will
give her a chance to live a normal life once again. I will surely pay
you back as soon as I return. I will appreciate whatever you can help me
with. Kindly let me know if you can be of help so I can send you my
western union details since I cannot operate my bank account from here.

Regards


Shelley Epstein.

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