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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: "claudia dennis" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2015 16:23:50 +0100
Subject: URGENT

Dearest in the lord, Forgive my indignation if this message comes to you as a Surprise and may offend your personality to contact you without your prior consent and writing via this channel. I got your contact from the professional database. I am Mrs. Claudia Dennis a widow ageing long-term sick (cancer) and currently admitted to a private hospital. I have some funds I inherited from my late husband, Jan Dennis, whom earlier died in a car accident. When my husband was alive he deposited the sum of £7,500,000.00 with a finance/security company in Europe. My doctor told me i would not last exceeding 3 months due to my cancer problem. I need someone very honest and God-fearing that can use these funds for the work of God. My late husband and i taught that this fund should be used for charitable purposes, such as building schools, houses of orphanages, hospitals, etc. I took this decision because i do not have any child that will inherit this money and I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul. If you wish to help me with this great task, contact me via my personal e-mail: ladyclaudiadennis20@gmail.com and I will furnish you with more details of how we are to start up the project. Thanks for your time and concern. God be with you, Lady Claudia Dennis.

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