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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: "Charles Wood" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <charleswood1953@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 00:49:01 -0800
Subject: urgent response

Dear Dear Sir/Madam,

As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I
believe everyone will die someday. My name is Charles Wood, a
merchant in Dubai U.A.E.I have been diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer
which was discovered very late, due to my laxity in caring for my
health. It has 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 focused on my business as that was the only thing I
cared for. But now I regret all these 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 gives me a second chance to come to this world I would
live my life in 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 arms to charity organizations and give succor
and comfort to the less privileged in our societies, as I want this to
be one of the last good deeds I will do on earth. So far, I have
distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, Algeria
and China. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do
this my self anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one
of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity
organization and to the less privileged in Bulgaria and, they refused
and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore,
as they seem not too satisfied with what I have left for them. The
last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of (US
$8.7,000,000.00 dollars) that I have with Security Company in United
Arab Emirates for safe keeping.
I will want you to help me collect this deposit and disburse it to
some charity organizations and to the less privileged. Please send me
a mail to indicate if you will assist me in this disbursement. I have
set aside 40% for you and your time.
While I wait to hear from you, may God be with you and your entire
family as you read and understanding.
charleswood1953@gmail.com

Thanks in Anticipation

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