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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. Catherine Welsh" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cathewelsh@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2015 02:28:19 +0200
Subject: Hello

Hello

My name is Mrs. Catherine Welsh I am 59 years old, I am a dying woman who have decided to donate what I have to you.I was diagnosed for cancer for about 2 years ago. I have been touched to donate what I have inherited from my late husband to you for good work as your heart desire. I will be going in for an operation tomorrow.I decided to WILL/donate the sum of three million dollars to you for good work, and also to help the motherless and less privilege and also for the assistance of the widows. At the moment I cannot take any telephone calls right now due to the fact throat cancer.

I have adjusted my WILL and my lawyer is aware. I wish you all the best and may the good god bless you abundantly, and please use the Funds judiciously and always extend the good work to others. As soon you get back to me and confirm you can carry on with this good work and charity heart. then i shall provide you with my lawyer details so you can get in touch with him and he will arrange all the legal documents to have the funds released to you. I know i have never met you, but at some point in our lives we must be ready to do good. which is what i am doing by willing my estate to you so you can help people in need around you.

Warm Regards,
Catherine Welsh

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