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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Mary Taylor <vietnh@phutho.gov.vn>
Reply-To: <mrsmarytay01@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 20:47:20 -0800
Subject: Thanks for giving Attention to a widow in need

Esteem Greeting Brethren,
 
I write to you in good faith and hoping that you will understand the importance of my email. My name is Mary Taylor, I am 52 years old deaf woman aging widow suffering from a long time illness for diagnosed for cancer my decision to contact you is because I have been recently diagnosed with Cancer and the doctor said I have less than 7 weeks to live. Since this sudden news was announced to me, I have been reflecting over my life in the past. It is painful that after over 24 years of peaceful marriage with my late husband, we had no child of our own that will inherit our numerous wealth.
 
In the past, I have made reasonable donations to the victims of Earthquake in Haiti and to the same victims in Japan, Chile and Thailand. Now that my health is gradually deteriorating, I cannot continue to do all these by myself any more. I strongly desire to reach out to the poor and needy people, but I would prefer to continue this with the assistance of devoted christain with 100% commitment.
 
I have some funds inherited from my late husband which are alread in my name now, the sum of US$8,500.000.00 (Eight Million Five Hundred United States Dollars) and I needed a very honest and God fearing person that can be able to utilize it wisely to achieve my heart desire of supporting poor people around you and open a charity foundation in the name of my husband. I found your email address from the Internet and I decided to contact you.Please if you would be able to use the funds for the charitable work, kindly reply for further details.
Thanks for giving attention to a window in need.
 
Your Urgent Response is highly needed.
 
Yours sincerely,
Mary Taylor.

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