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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Elizabeth Edwards <ee7358936@gmail.com>
Reply-To: elizabethedw0@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2020 23:35:04 -0800
Subject:

To Whom It May Concern,
From Madam Elizabeth Edwards
Dear Friend,


Accept my greetings to you. I am the above named person but now
undergoing medical treatment at the hospital, I am a merchant in
Dubai. I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer .It has defiled
all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few
months to live, according to medical experts.


Though I may not know you personally I want to tell you that, through
divine word of wisdom from my pastor advised me to reject earthly
reward and thanks by handing the project to someone I have never seen
or met for a greater reward in heaven waits for whoever can give such
a costly donation. That is how I came across your E-mail from my
personal search, and I decided to email you directly believing that
you will be honest to fulfill my final wish.

I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared
for anyone (not even myself) but my business. Though I am very rich, I
was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on
my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret
all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to
have or make all the money in the world.

But since the loss of my family, my husband and my only son, i have
found a new desire to assist helpless families. I have been
distributed money to some charity organizations helping orphans in
orphanage/ motherless homes. i have donated some money to orphans in
Sudan, south Africa, Cameroon, Brazil, Spain, Austria, Germany and
some Asian countries. Also I have willed and given most of my property
and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a
few close friends.


I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and
distribute the money to charity organization in USA; they refused and
kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as
they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them. Please I
need your attention to a proposal collaboration project. When my late
husband was alive he deposited the sum of £10 Million (Ten Million
Pounds sterling) with one Finance/Security Company. Now I have decided
to give the amount to charity organizations, as I want this to be one
of the last good deeds I do on earth So far Now that my health has
deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore.


If you will be honest, kind, and willing to assist me to handle this
charity project as I’ve mentioned here, I am eager to hear your
comments and answer any questions you many have, you can reach me at
(elizabethedw0@gmail.com).


Thank you very much for your time and attention.

Yours sincerely
Mrs. Elizabeth Edwards.

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