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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: Dowling Esperanza <dowranza@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Dowling Esperanza <dowranza@yahoo.fr>
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2015 20:38:29 +0900 (JST)
Subject: HOW ARE YOU TODAY

Dearest, I was compelled to write to you under a humanitarian ground. I am Mrs.
Dowling Esperanza Aranas. I was born in Philippine married to late Mr. John H.
Dowling former Philippians Ambassador to Cote D’ivoire . We were married for 36
years without a child, my husband died after a Cardiac Arteries Operation.
Recently, My Doctor told me that I would not last for the next six months due
to my cancer problem (cancer of the liver and stroke).Before my husband died
last year.

There is this sum $4 Million United State of American Dollars that he deposited
with a local bank here In Abidjan-Cote D ‘ivoire. Presently this money is still
in the bank. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to any
good God fearing brother or sister that will utilize this fund the way I am
going to instruct herein. I want somebody that will use this fund according to
the desire of my late husband to help less privileged people, orphanages,
widows and propagating the word of God since l hard no child, I took this
decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this fund, and I
don't want in a way where this money will be used wrongly. This is why I am
taking this decision to hand you over this Fund. I am not afraid of death hence
I know where I am going. I want you to always remember me in your daily prayers
because of my upcoming Cancer Surgery. Write back as soon as possible because
any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another person for this
same purpose,
Hoping to read from you and God bless you as you listing to the voice of
Reasoning.
Best Regards
Mrs. Dowling Esperanza Aranas

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