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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. Margret Bennett <margaret.bennett10@live.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 07:07:43 -0700
Subject: Greetings in the Name of God Almighty

I am Mrs. Margret Bennett, A widow to the Late Mr.Joshua Bennett, I am 65yrs old, I am a new Christian convert working as a missionary in UK before I Was urgently transfer to my home country here in Thailand, I am suffering From long time cancer of the breast, from all indication my condition is really Deteriorating and I am afraid that I won't live more than two Months, because of the pains I am passing through and because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. My late husband was killed during the U.S raid against terrorism in Afghanistan and during the period of our marriage we had a 23 yrs old son who died in an auto crash three years ago. My late husband was very wealthy and after his death I inherited all his business and wealth. My Doctor suggested that I will go for a surgery because I have tried so many ways for solution but no solution, I Hate surgery but I dont have any option than to follow my doctor's instruction for the safety of my life. The reason why I am contacting you from my sick bed is because I want to divide the part of my husband wealth to contribute to the development of the church and Mosque in UK, America,and Asia And also in Europe. I prayed over it and I am willing to donate the sum of Five Million United State Dollars (5,000,000.00 USD) to the less privileged and orphanage Home through you. My God is the one that directed me to you and I want you to use 70% of this funds to work for God and keep 30% to yourself. Please I want you to note that this fund is lying in a Security Vault and upon my instruction, the Security Vault will proceed with their transfer Procedures once they get some vital information from you as my next Beneficiary. Lastly, I want you to keep everything about this transaction very private and secret because there are so many people that are searching a way to claims My Husband fund especially my husband relatives and friends, I dislike them because they are only interested in my husband Fund. I honestly pray that this money when transferred will be used for the said purpose, because I have come to find out that wealth without God is vanity upon vanity. If you are willing to help me, please kindly get back to me as soon as possible. May the Grace of our God and the Fellowship of God be with you and your family. I await your urgent reply, Yours in Christ, Mrs. Margret Bennett

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