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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: rebecca young <rebeccay96@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: rebecca young <yrebecca69@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2015 09:37:26 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Greetings and God Bless You


 Greetings and God Bless You
I want us to know each other before trust because I was sent to contact you by the spirit of almighty God, I am writing this mail with heavy tears in my eyes and great sorrow in my heart, Based on your good profile I want to solicit for your help in fulfilling my wish, I am Mrs. Rebecca Young. 57yrs old widow, I am married to Late Mr mate Young, Who Worked With U.S.A Embassy and Cocoa Dealer here in Ivory Coast, and he died In 2011, When Ivory Coast are having Presidential Election that cost a Civil War in the Country I am writing you this message via a computer lap top on my sick bed at the hospital were I am undergoing medical treatment I have been diagnosed of Endometrial cancer unfortunately for me my doctor said I don't have any chance to survive except by a miracle I have spent a lot of money on medical treatment yet no improvement.
The reason why I am writing you this letter is because I want you to stand as beneficiary to the sum of my $ 6.5 Million (Six million five hundred thousand united states dollars) I don’t have any biological child of my own who will inherit this money neither do I have any adopted child My relatives and friends have plundered so much of my wealth since my illness and I cannot live with the agony of entrusting this huge responsibility to any of them anymore.
I want you to take 30% percent of the total money for your personal Use While 70% percent of the money will donate to support churches and evangelism I also want to help children and orphanages in your country, By Donating this Money as charity is the only legacy I can leave behind after my death, help me to fulfil this goal before I die and please always remember to pray for me Even when I die my soul will rest in peace. If you are willing to help me receive this money please give me Your (Full Name _ age _ occupation_) so that I will take you to nest step I Expecting your message soonest
May Almighty God Bless You Yours Faithfully Love SisterRebecca Young

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