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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: "Mr Miguel Pedro" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pm7090733@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2017 03:25:37 -0400
Subject: DEAR BELOVED IN THE LORD

Thanks so much for giving me audience to write to you.
 
Please I am sorry if I am bothering you in any way because of my approach to you.
 
Unfortunately I am from Portugal I have been diagnosed with cancer and this has defiled all forms of medical treatment. Right now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical experts. I must confess that I have not actually lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous. I was always hostile to People and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. Only now I come to regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it.
 
My primary purpose of contacting you is that I would want to have a Personal and Trustworthy Relationship with you, as I intend and willing to empower the change of ownership for the transfer of my Deposits to your personal possession for further Investment and Charity Disbursement to the Less Privilege and Homeless ones out there.
 
It is by grace of God we know each other and I strongly believed that God knows the reason why He chose you to accomplish this task for Him and His children (less privilege and the needy). Please never you ask why? Because God knows it all, I contacted you with good mind and good intentions, believing that you will surely help me by distributing this money to the poor and the needy and my chances of survival is not up to 5% according to the Doctor but I am not afraid because I know the will of God will be done.
 
I shall draft a letter of Authority which you will send to Bank when contacting them, that is why I will need these details from you.
 
Your Full Name: ............?
Your Contact Home Address: ...............?
Your Contact Phone Number: ...............?
 
You are the only family I have right now and I will be happy for you to add me in your daily prayers. I have experiences a lot in this my little life and I have been disappointed and abandoned by the people I called family at this point in my life. I chose not to say any bad words about this world but I strongly believed that God Almighty has reason for everything because he said in this words in the Book of Samuel: (Before your mother conceive you I have already knew who you are going to be).
 
Please find attach some of my photo when I learn I have been diagnosed for Cancer of the Throat and others, and I just hope that you will not disappoint me at the end of the day, whence the Deposit must have been transferred to you, cause, you sound very honest and transparent, and I have this believe and intuition inside me, as well.
 
I would want everything to be done within a very short period, cause of the time frame the Doctors have scheduled my treatment. I would also like you to send me your photos as well for my comfort, as you are the only companion I have apart from Dr. Absalom Abraham alone.
 
I wait for your responses so that I will send the deposit Certificate and my international Passport along with Bank contact information’s where this Fund is been deposited. God makes us to understand that those that believed in him shall be saved and those that put hope in him will never be disappointed. I have rely my hope in him and only him will forgive my sins and accept my humble soul and that is the reason why I made this promises to him by helping the less privilege and the needy through your humble helping hands.
 
Thank you so much for your anticipated kindness and love.
 
Yours Brother in the Lord,
 
Remain Blessed,
Yours Brother in Lord,
Sr. Miguel Pedro.

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