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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.Precious Charles <servicedesk@aspenpharma.com>
Reply-To: <preciouscharles@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2020 14:19:08 -0800
Subject: Mrs.Precious Charles

My Beloved Friend In The Lord.
 
 
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus  Christ. I am Mrs.Precious Charles from Ivory Coast, a widow to late Mr John Charles . l am 51 years old and a converted born again Christian, suffering from long term  cancer of the breast, from all indication my condition is really deteriorating and it is quite obvious that I might not live more than two (2) months, according to my doctor because the cancer has gotten to a very worst / dangerous stage.
 
 
I was brought up in a Motherless baby as home, and was married to my late husband for twenty years we have only one child.
 
 
My late husband died last 2 years ago, his death was politically motivated. My late husband was a very rich and wealthy business man who was running his Gold/Diamond Business here in Ivory Coast,
 
 
Before his death he Deposited the sum of Eight Million Eight Hundred thousand Euros here in Ivory Coast which i am the next of kin, I really need your assistance 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.
 
 
Once I hear from you, I will forward to you all the information's you will use to get this fund released from the bank here in Ivory Coast and to be transferred to your bank account. I honestly pray that this money when transferred to you will be used for the said purpose because l have come to find out that wealth acquisition without Christ is vanity. May the grace of our lord Jesus the love of God and the fellowship of God be with you and your family.
 
 
Reply me on my private email address (preciouscharles@aol.com)
 
Thanks and God bless you.
Your Beloved Sister In Christ.
Mrs.Precious Charles

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