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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: "Engr. Gordon" <mrseyademak@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:

Greetings

My name is Engr. Gordon Hirschy, I am a citizen of the USA, a
businessman specialized in Real Estate, but now I am critically sick
with esophageal cancer which has damaged almost all the cells in my
body system. From all medical indications my condition has really
deteriorated and it’s pretty obvious that I may not live for more than
six months because of the rapid growth stage and the excruciating pain
that accrues to it.

My wife was killed during the Gulf War, and our long years of marriage
were not blessed with children. My wife was very wealthy, after her
death, I inherited all her business and funds. My doctor has diagnosed
and told me privately that I may not last for more than six months,
based on this I have taken the decision to share part of my funds and
wealth in contribution to the development of the Church and society
with a major focus on the elderly old People and needy.

I am donating the sum of $10,000,000USD to you for developing the
Church and to help the old People and the less privileged among your
congregations/society. As soon as the fund is transferred to your own
bank account, you shall take 30% out of the total amount transferred
to your account as my representative and use 70% for charity
foundation project. In my next message I shall send to you the
documentation project for your confidence.

Please reply immediately with your full data if you agree my email
proposal so we can arrange for the transfer to your own bank account
before my surgery, I will by going for surgery soon as possible, and I
do not know what will be the result of my surgery as the doctor has
told me already that I may not survive.Thanks and remain blessed

(Reply to my private email address:( redacted@domain.name )

I am waiting for your urgent response.
Yours Sincerely,
Engr. Gordon Hirschy

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