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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: "Gregor Herschell" <AkaInu88@gmx.net>
Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2018 11:07:38 +0200
Subject: I await your quick reply.

Greetings Dear,
    I am Mrs, Herschell, a 50 years old dying woman, i was diagnosed of cancer for about 4 years ago, immediately after the death of my late husband Mr. Gregor Herschell, who has left me everything he worked for, I have some funds I inherited from my late husband, the sum of (9.5 Million Dollars) and I needed a very honest and Godfearing person who can withdraw this money from the bank and then use the funds for Charity works.
    Before his death, he Deposited the total sum of $9.5m (Nine Million  Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) with a bank in London UK, due to my bad health situation occasioned by cancer, i wish you to do me a favour to receive this fund to a safe account in your country or any safer place as the beneficiary so that you will use it for the benefit and education of the less Privileges.
    Presently, I am with one of the nurses' in a hospital in here UK where i have been undergoing treatment for cancer of the lungs. It is my last wish to see that this money is invested into charity works; the homesless, prisoners and the motherless babies.
    I took this decision before I rest in peace, because my time will soon be up. I am absolutely assuring you that no trouble is involved in this money because this is my late husband's money and I am the only Beneficiary. I want you to take 30% percent of the total money for your personal use while 70% of the fund to work as I have explained above.
    Finally if you have any question regarding this transaction, do it immediately. Please note that the confidentiality of this transaction would be highly appreciated. I await your quick reply.
    Mrs, Herschell.

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