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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: VINCENT <vic@kenyamail.org>
Reply-To: vic_odipo702@outlook.com
Date: 6 Aug 2014 17:51:40 +0200
Subject: CRY FOR HELP

Dear Friend, As you read this, I dont want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe everyone will die someday. My name is Vincent Odipo from Kenya,a retired business executive.I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer which was discovered very late, due to my laxity in caring for my health. It has presently 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 this 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, Kenya, Mali 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 had 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 Seventy Six million dollars with Well Fargo Bank, that has been transferred to a secret place .I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations of your choice. I have set aside 40% for you for your time and patience. Please if you are interested in help me distribute this money to Charity,kindly provide the follow for my perusal. 1:Full Names. 2:Residential address. 3:Age. 4:Telephone. 5:Occupation 6:Country. So my attorney can process the cash release to you, for the disbursement of funds to various charity organization with a 40% reward for your honest help. Urgently Reply to my private email on: vic1236@myway.com God be with you and I hope to hear from you soon. Vincent.

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