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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: "Mrs. Stephanie Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <smith.stephanie64@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2018 13:39:07 -0500
Subject: CAN YOU HELP ME..

Hello,
 
My Name is Stephanie Smith,from California, USA. I am a former Director and Investor with British Petroleum but presently diagnosed with Leukemia (Cancer of the Blood), which according to the medical team handling my case, I do not have a chance of surviving this ailment.
 
However, I have decided to set up a Charitable Foundation, to create awareness about CANCER related disease, helping the disable and less privileged in the society as a way of keeping a legacy not for myself, but for the world in general that after my demise I will be remembered for good.
 
Consequently, I have decided to put all of my life earnings running into Millions of Dollars for setting up this memorial foundation and would love you to chair and head it in the capacity of handling and administering the day-to-day running of this foundation after my demise.
 
I wait to hear from you, to give you further detail regarding this and to direct you to my lawyer who will perfect all documents to formally declare and present you as the beneficiary and administrator of this fund.
 
best regards
 
Please do email me on my private Email: smith.stephanie64@yahoo.com
 
Regards,
Stephanie Smith

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