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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: "Ms. Mary Fischer" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <maryfischer0015@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2016 04:30:05 -0800
Subject: Can you handle this?

Dear Friend

Please accept my apologies if this request does not meet your personal ethics as it is not intended to cause you any embarrassment in what ever form. I got your contact email address from the internet directory, and i decided to contact you for this important project.

Although this may be hard for you to believe because i know that there is absolutely going to be a great doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this email as this might sound strange to you and coupled with the fact that, so many individuals have taken possession of the Internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate persons to get attention and recognition. Please grant me the benefit of doubt and hear me out.

My name is Ms. Mary Fischer; I held from the Regional Council of Goyder (Australian Local Government Area) South Australia. I was married to Mr. Jacob Fischer before he died nine years ago after suffering a malignant brain tumors.

Before his death we use to live here in Abuja, Nigeria where he worked with the Nigeria Ministry of Solid Minerals Development as an Expatriate.

We were married for twelve years without a child. We were both born again Christians. I decided not to re-marry nor get a child outside my matrimonial home in order to respect the love i have for my late husband.

While my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of Ten Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($10, 800,000.00 USD) with a finance institution somewhere for safe keeping. This money is still with the finance institution as i have not been able to claim it due to the ugly situation of my health.

Presently i am having a serious cancer problem, and I have been suffering from this disease for many years now to the extent that i can no longer go out of my house. I am presently under going treatments here in Nigeria as i was not able to move back to Australia after the death of my husband.

Recently, my Doctor told me that I have only three months to live due to this ugly cancer problem. Though i am aware that am going to die someday but what disturbs me most is my paralyzed left leg which happen as a result of dangerous stroke i suffered six months ago.

Having known my condition I have decided to donate this fund to church or better still an individual who can utilize the money for charity and humanitarian works as i and my husband planned to set up a foundation for the less privileged in any of the countries of the world before he died.

I want some one who will use this fund to build orphanage homes and provide food and supplies to poor people. I took this decision because I don't have any child who will inherit this money. Secondly, I and my husband grew up as an Orphan and we don't have anybody as my family member who can inherit the fund.

Can you handle this? Can i also trust you? My Lawyer will officially guide you to the legal process to claim this deposit from the finance institution. 30% of this deposit will belong to you while you will use the balance to set up a home for the less privileged in your country and for charity works.

As soon as I receive your trust response I shall reveal to you the contact of the Finance institution, and also tell you how to deal with them. I will also issue to
you a letter of authorization that will empower you as the true beneficiary of this fund to enable you claim it from the finance institution. I want you to always pray
for me and also dedicate the foundation to my name as i may join my creator in no time.

Hope to hear from you.
Sincerely yours
Ms. Mary Fischer

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