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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 Maddalena Nicholaus <bj.dhlbenin@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:

Greetings dear,

I am writing this mail with tears and grief and am asking for your
help due to my medical situation here in London. I am Miss. Maddalena
Nicholaus, I am an 85 years old Finnish citizen. I was an orphan,
adopted by my late father Engr. Joakim Nicholaus, Chairman / CEO of
JNicholaus Oil and Gas Services. After my father's death, I took over
his management and also decided not to get married because I am his
only child.

I was diagnosed with coronary artery disease that has cost me a lot
and has affected every part of my body and brain cells due to
complications. Only 5 days ago, the British doctors told me that I
could die at any time because my condition had reached a critical and
life-threatening stage. After knowing my medical critical status, I
decided to use your urgent help / collaboration to use my $14.5
million legacy and build orphanages home in memory of me when I'm
gone.

I made this brave decision because I don't have a husband, family, or
kids who can inherit this money when I'm gone. If you are interested,
you will take 30% of the total money for your help and use the rest to
build orphanages in memory of me. If you are interested, please
contact me urgently for more information. I will issue my father's
deposit certificate and his death certificate for confirmation and
also for the bank to identify you as my legal beneficiary for
receiving the money on my behalf.

I am waiting for your urgent reply.

Regards,
Miss. Maddalena Nicholaus.

Anti-fraud resources: