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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: =?UTF-8?B?Ik1yLiBEaWFycmFoIFJhaGVlbSwi?= <Godwin.browe1@terra.com.pe>
Date:
Subject:

Greetings Dearest Beloved,
 
How are you today, My name is Mr= . Diarrah Raheem, I have a touching story of hope and self realization to t= ell you. I am an oil-servicing equipment merchant, from Dubai, U.A.E, diagn= osed with chronic Esophageal cancer disease which doctors have confirmedin july 2011.
I=E2=80=99m a rich man by business  so please do not= think of this letter. as one of those being sent around to ask for money l= ater on. In the past one year I have been donating my money, to
charity = organizations in Malaysia, and India. Now that my health has deteriorated s= o badly, I cannot do this by myself anymore. I once asked two members of my= family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money to charity org= anizations in Bulgaria and Pakistan, they refused and kept the money to the= mselves.  and no child. Hence, I do not trust them anymore,  as t= hey seem not to be contented with what I have left for them.
The last bu= lk consignment of my money which is unknown to anyone, is huge cash deposit= which contains  (USA  $25, Millions  Nine Hundred and fifty= United State Dorllars )
that I have with a Central Bank Of Africa. I ne= ed you to help me collect this deposit and distribute it to charity organiz= ations to help earthquake victims in Haiti, and people suffering elsewhere = in the world. I have set aside 30% for your time and service. have confirme= d that I have just few time to leave, Now that I=E2=80=99m ending the race = like this, without any family members and no child,
Please, reply me if = you are interested.
God be with you.
Sincerely, Mr. Diarrah Raheem,

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