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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: "Mrs Svenja Erich" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <erichsvenja@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2016 14:11:54 -0700
Subject: God bless you


May Blessings of God be with you,

I prayed and got your details while searching for someone i can trust.My name is Mrs Svenja Erich from Germany,I am 66 years old and suffering from cancer of the lungs and fibroid.I was married for eleven years without a child and I lost my husband in an aircrash accident.My husband when he was alive deposited some money with an overseas bank and after his death,his bank has been contacting me to come and redeem the money or they will confiscate the money.Since i do not have a child to inherit this money and because of my health condition which would not allow me,I have decided to donate and help the less privileged,widows and motherless because my doctor advised i have less than 2months to live.I will be most grateful,if you can take this good task and God will bless you.Until I hear from you,my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders,may God bless and protect you.

Faithfully,
Mrs Svenja Erich
E-mail: erichsvenja@gmail.com

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