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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: "PAUL PHILLIPS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paulphillips2001@gmx.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2016 16:26:05 -0700
Subject: URGENT FROM PAUL PHILLIPS

ATTENTION

I am Mr. Paul Pillips. I was diagnosed of cancer about 2 years ago, and I am
receiving treatment for it, but I have just been informed by my Doctors that
I have a short time to live.

When I was in good health, I never really cared for anybody, with no child
of my own and a late wife . I have decided to give you the sum of Four
million US Dollars so you can disburse to charities, widows, orphans and
less privileged. I was doing this myself before my health deteriorated. I
mandated my relatives to do this for me but they only saw it as an
opportunity to enrich themselves.

I am due for surgery soon, I want this act of mine to be an offering to
humanity, perhaps some people may be saved. Please let me know if this is
something you can handle and I will provide further details.

Stay blessed,

Mr. Paul Philllips

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