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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: @inspectorate.com.my
Date: Tue, 09 Jun 2015 20:53:34 +0800
Subject: A CRY FOR HELP+



Dearly Beloved,

My name is Mr Patrick Berger, I have been diagnosed with
Esophageal Cancer that was discovered very late due to my
laxity in caring for my health. It has defiled all form 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 focus on my business as that was
the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this 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 God gives me a second chance to come to this
world I would live my life a different way from how I have
lived it. Now that I know my time is near, 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 have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I
want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So
far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations
in Africa , U.A.E, London and Ireland. Now that my health
has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this my self any
more. I once asked members of my family to close one of my
accounts and donate the money, which I have there to charity
organization in Bulgaria , they refused and kept the money
to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they
seem not to be contended with what I have left for them.
The last of my money which is the huge cash deposit that I
have with a financial institute abroad .I will want you to
help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity
organizations. I am writing this from my laptop computer in
my sickbed where I wait for my time to come. I pray that
God uses you to support me.
Looking forward to hearing from you.

Mr Patrick Berger

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