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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: Chiq <mondayomeh2020@gmail.com>
Reply-To: veradikke08@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2015 12:15:38 +0100
Subject: HELP IN DISTRIBUTING FUNDS TO THE POOR AND NEEDY

>From Mr. Mark Cole,

Hello Dear

Compliments of the day to you! By this e-mail, I do sincerely apologize for
my intrusion of your privacy. However, I have a serious concern with which
I believe you might be of help but don`t feel sorry for me because i know
everyone will die and for this reason, I can not but reach out to someone-
a fellow Brethren. My name is Mr. Mark Cole, a business tycoon based in
British Virgin Islands. I have been diagnosed with prostate and 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 just 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 or my family but my business.

Though I am very rich, I was never caring, I was always hostile to people
and only focus on my business as that was the only thing I ever 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 if 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. Since the announcement of the
diagnosed with prostate and esophageal Cancer and the time I have to stay
on earth, 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 here in
British Virgin Islands and also in Indonesia, and some African Countries.
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 in
Bulgaria and donate the money to charity organization in Bulgaria, they
connived and instead 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 and others, they stole from me. The last of my money, which is the
huge cash deposit that I have with Financial Firm abroad. I will want you
to help me collect this deposit and distribute it to charity organizations
in your country and let them know that I Mr. Mark Cole is making this
generous donation. I am writing this from my laptop computer in my hospital
bed where I wait for my time to come.

I pray that God uses you to support and assist me with good heart. All I
need from you is Truthfulness, Honesty and Sincerity assuring me that you
can in all honesty and obedience utilize the funds for the purpose with
which it is meant for. In any case, a quick response from you will be
highly appreciated as I am already on a count-down and may not have ample
time to finalize the procedures. Any delay in response may compel me to
source for other measures or perhaps choose the alternative which I will
not be happy too.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank
and how much I deposited there. I will also issue you a Letter of Authority
that will empower you as the original beneficiary of this fund. My
happiness would be if my last wish is obeyed. Please always be prayerful
all through and try as much as possible to learn from my lessons in your
life. Also, please assure me that you will act just as I have stated
herein. Please, do not see this as a strange possibility or an unbelievable
opportunity to make wealth, rather see this as a rare chance to assist the
less privileged in truth and in spirit with a substance. Hope to hear from
you soon and God bless you and members of your family. If you have the
interest am waiting for your reply and God be with you.

Regards,
Mr. Mark Cole.

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