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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: linda william <williamlinda82@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: linda william <williamslinda450@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 11:38:44 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: DEAREST ONE IN THE LORD,


 DEAREST ONE IN THE LORD,

My name is Mrs. Linda Williams. I write from the hospital bed, I'm on medication. I have a serious lung and breast cancer I'm going for my third surgery next two weeks. Recently, my doctor told me that I have only less than a month to live in this world. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke problem. Haven known my condition I decided to serve God with our wealth. I am a widow and a servant of the Lord in the last 38 years. When my husband was alive we kept the sum of ($ 4.6 million dollar)I decided to donate this fund to a church, or an individual or better still a God fearing person that will utilize this fund the way I am going to instruct here in. I want a person who uses the funds do to provide relief to the poor a destitute to help the orphanages, widows around, schools, etc.I hope to receive your reply soon.Thanks and remain blessed.
Mrs. Linda Williams

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