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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: "Esther Aaron" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <eaaron1919@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 May 2015 15:28:46 +0100
Subject: Please, Read and Get Back

Hello,

My name is Mrs. Esther Aaron. I am a widow married to late Patrick Aaron CEO of a company. I have a touching story of hope and self realization to tell you. I am diagnosed with chronic cancer in July 2013.

My late husband was very rich; please do not take this letter as one of those being sent around. In the past one year I have been donating my money to charity organizations in Philippine and India. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore. I once asked two members of my late husband family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money to charity organizations in Nepal and Pakistan; which they kept the money to themselves for private use. I do not trust them anymore because of this experience, as they seem not to be contented with what my late husband and I have left for them; since after twenty-eight years of marriage no child.

The last bulk of my money which is unknown to anyone is cash deposit of GBP8.2M that I have with a finance/security company. I need you to help me collect this deposit and distribute it to charity organizations to help earthquake victims, and people suffering elsewhere in the world. Terms of service will be discussed. I do not need this money anymore as I have a short time to live as said by my doctor.

NB: At the moment, I cannot take any telephone calls. I am restricted by my doctor from taking phone calls because I deserve all the rest I can get.

Please reply me as soon as you receive this email.

Regards,

Mrs. Esther Aaron

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Anti-fraud resources: