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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: "Mrs. Rose Atkin" <ratkin2010@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: ratkin2010@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 11:56:51 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: My Regards / Your Help




Mrs. Rose Atkin
PO Box 789
Kuwait, Kuwait City
 
My Great Compliments,
 
I’m Mrs. Rose Atkin,a widow to late Mr.Harry Atkin former owner of Petroleum & Gas Company here in Kuwait. I am 68 years old, suffering from long time Cancer of the breast. From all indications my condition is really deteriorating and it's quite obvious that I won't live more than2months according to my doctors. This is because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. I don't want you to pity me, but I need your assistance and trust.
 
My late husband died early last year from Heart attack, and during the period of our Marriage we couldn't produce any child.
 
My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business and wealth. The doctor has advised me that I will not live for more than 2 months, so I have now decided to spread all my wealth to contribute mainly to the development of charity in Africa,America,Asia, Africa and Europe. Am sorry if you are embarrassed by my mail, I found your e-mail address in the web directory, and I have decided to contact you, but if for any reason you find this mail offensive, please you can ignore it and please accept my apology.
 
Before my late husband died he deposited the sum of Twenty million United States dollars (USD$20.000.000.00 Million) in a Finance Firm in Europe some years ago, that's all I have left now, I need you to collect this funds and distribute it yourself to charity, so that when I die my soul can rest in peace. The funds will be entirely in your hands and management.I hope God gives you the wisdom to touch many lives. That is my main concerned 30% of this money will be for your time and effort, while 70%goes to charities that will appreciate your assistance for this projects.
 
Please reply back to me on this e-mail: The doctor has stopped me from receiving and making calls due to my health condition.
 
God bless you.
Best Regards,
Mrs. Rose Atkin

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