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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: "Janet Gaw" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsjannetgaw@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2015 17:25:07 -0500
Subject: In good faith.

I greet you my beloved, In my search for a reliable and God fearing person and having gotten your contact through prayers and pains taking efforts via searching i  made on the internet on my bed side. I am Mrs Janet Gaw, age 71 wife of Late Mr. Andrew Gaw we are both Canadian Citizen. We were married for twenty-nine years without a child.
 
My Husband died after a brief illness that lasted only four days. Before his death we were both born again Christians and after his death I decided not to re-marry, he had a cash Investment of $20 Million US Dollars (Twenty Million Dollars) which he made me the Beneficiary, with a Security Company. I'm in United Kingdom where I have been undergoing treatment for breast cancer and cancer of the blood. I have since lost my ability to move around and my doctors have told me that I have only a few weeks to live as my condition worsen each day.
 
Before my husband died, it is his last wish to ensure for this money to be distributed to charity accrose World. It is for this reason I humbly request you to help me Stand and receive this payment of $20 Million US Dollars and should be distributed for Charity such as orphanages, widows, disaster Victims and to fund churches. I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money and my husband is the only son of his late parent.
 
I want you to make time out of your very busy schedule and see to the success of receiving this payment with in the shortest period of time because the directors of the security company where the fund is will use the fund for their selfish purpose in case anything happen to me, I  also want you to reply this mail as soon as possible, please remember to indicate (1) Your Full Name, (2) Your Contact Address (3) Your Telephone and Fax Number (4) Your Age.
 
I also don't want to die and leave my funds like this lady who left 13 Million USD for a cat here is her link
 
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/woman-leaves-13m-fortune-pet-cat-123953959.html
 
As soon as I receive your reply with your name, address and phone number, I shall be giving you the details of the security company. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. Lastly, I want you to be praying for me as regards my entire life and my health. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and The sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. I await your urgent reply.
 
Best Regards
Mrs. Janet Gaw

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