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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: estelkuye@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 04:28:40 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Peace be unto you

Greetings,
*I’m Mrs.Estel Kuye,I am married to Mr Kevin Kuye, who worked with Latvia Embassy for sixteen years before he died in the year 2013.We were married for twenty years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted only four days. Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $3,230,000.00 (Three million two hundred and thirty thousand united state dollars only) with a financial institution for safe keeping. Presently, my Doctor confirmed to me that I have serious sickness which is cancer problem. I decided to donate this fund to a charity conscious individual who will utilize the money the way I am going to instruct. I want you to use 70% of this fund for orphanages, the disabled and the less privileged and the motherless babies, while 30% should be yours for the services you will offer. I took this decision because I don’t have any child that
will inherit this money and I don’t want my husband’s efforts to go to waste. I don’t want a situation where this money will be used for the wrong purpose. This is why I am taking this bold decision. As soon as I receive your reply I will give you more details on how you will receive this fund. You should note that any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for another individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will do as I have stated. Hoping to receive your reply soon.Mrs.Estel Kuye*

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