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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: Miss Mary Adams <mryadams1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Miss Mary Adams <missmry.adams@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2017 03:53:56 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Miss Mary Adams


HELP ME PLEASE

My name is Miss Mary Adams looking for a trustworthy, sincere and honest someone like you who can help me in this time of needs.

My father (late chief Steven Zuma Adams) during the civil and political crisis in our country, my parents together with my three sisters was poisoned by heartless elements that called themselves his brother and wicked relatives. Fortunately for me, I was in the school when this tragedy took place to my family. I was in coma for almost two weeks. But I thank the almighty God because I never knew that I could support the shock of losing almost my whole family. That is by the way. Right now I am still here in Cote d'Ivoire with but very unsafe for me. I'm living in great fear and bondage. I intend leaving this country as soon as possible but only one thing kept me back. My late father has deposited with one of the prime institution in Europe the sum of money, (10,000,000.00) ten million united state dollar , for onward transfer to any bank abroad

But unfortunately he did not complete the transaction before he died. I have all the documents concerns this money in the security company in Holland and receipt of deposit with which my late father made the deposit, I have mapped out 25% out of the total money for your help and assistances because it looks stupid for me trying to confide in a total stranger I never met before . By instinct I am convinced you are an honest person and you have the capacity to handle this transaction with me. As soon as it is done, I will come over to meet you and spend the rest of my live in your country. I wish to invest the money into estate business and other good business you may propose. I promise to greatly compensate you for any assistance you may offer me. I do not know how you may feel about this but I want you to take this very serious and confidential. Down here, I am living in fear because enemies, uncles and wicked relatives of my parents are hunting for us.
Please let me know your mind concerning my proposal to you,

With her loving arms

Thanks

Miss Mary Adams

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