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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: "Mr. Williams Harrison" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <willharrison0@w.cn>
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:16:21 +0800
Subject: Hello

Dear Friend,
It is indeed my great pleasure to write you this letter, which I believe it will meet you in good condition of health but i know it will be a surprise to you as we have never met before, and I am deeply sorry if I have in any manner disturbed your privacy. Please forgive me and this unusual manner of contacting you but i just can help it, so i felt i have to reach you with this letter to support me in order to achieve my dream for the less privilege ones in our society and the world at large.
My name is Mr. Williams Harrison, A business merchant in United Kingdom, but am presently under-going treatment here in Malaysia. I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It has defied all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical experts. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but only 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. Its now i know that no matter how much money you have it cannot safe life because i have spent millions of dollars on my illness but to no avail.

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. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that God has called me, 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 want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul, so I have decided to give alms to charity organizations for the less privilege in the society, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in Somalia and Haiti before my sickness got worsen to this present state. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore.

I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in Jamaica and India, 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. The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of Nine Million Five Hundred dollars ($9,500,000.00) that I have with a private Financial company in Amsterdam the Netherlands. I will want you base on trust to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to any charity organizations of your choice.

N/B: KINDLY NOTE THAT 80% of these funds must go to victims of recent disasters while the balance 20% will be for your effort and time during the actualization of this transaction. Upon receipt of your response, I shall communicate with you, and let you know the details of the transfer. Whatever your actions and your decision, I thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
I am looking forward to your prompt response.

Regards,

Mr. Williams Harrison
willharrison0@w.cn

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