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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: "Precious Charles" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pc754087@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2018 14:45:28 -0700
Subject: Precious Charles

Be Blessed In the Name Of God Permit me to inform you of my desire of going into business relationship with you, My name is Mrs. Precious Charles from France Married to Francois Francis from cote dIvoire, I am 62 years old, I am suffering from a long time Cancer of the breast. From all indication my condition is really deteriorating, and my Doctors have courageously advised me that I may not live beyond next month, this is Because the cancer stage has reached a critical stage. I was brought up in a Motherless baby as home, and was married to my late husband for twenty years with no child, but we have only one adopted son his name is Water Francis. My husband and I are true Christians, but quite unfortunately, he Died 2016 after a brief illness. Before his death we were both born again Christians. I decided not to re-marry, My husband Deposited the sum of $5.2million dollars here in Cote d'Ivoire Presently, this money is still with the bank i want you to use this money to take care of my only son and also invested the money into a very good LUCRATIVE VENTURE of your choice that will be giving out proceeds to be distributed each year Among the charity organization, the poor and the motherless baby as, orphanage Homes and widows around. I must let you know that this was a very hard decision, But I had to take a bold step towards this issue because I have no further option. I hope you will help see my last wishes come true. Best regards, Precious Charles

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