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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: "Ms.Deborah William" <mywellbeing@gawab.com>
Reply-To: mywellbeing10@yahoo.com.cn
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2010 00:22:24 -0500
Subject: If you are willing



Dear Sir,

I am Ms.Deborah William, I wish to seek for your assistance in a
financial transaction, however, it's not mandatory but I was compelled
to contact you to request for assistance in claiming funds which I
inherited from my parents.

My parents are Dr. and Mrs. William Robert. My father was an
expatriate in the Doha , Qatar but it is sad to say that he passed
away after under going a 2 week medical treatment in the United
Kingdom . Although his death was linked or rather suspected to have
been masterminded by one of our uncles who poisoned his coffee the
morning he was admitted. My mother died when I was a little girl, and
since then my father took me so special. Before his death 2 months
ago, he told me about sum funds which are about Four Million United
State Dollars. ($4,000,000.00 USD) deposited with a large investment &
Security Firm.

The safe was declared as Family Personal Belongings instead of the
real content which is money. It was kept as Family belongings so that
company does not know the true content of the safe as containing so
much money.

I have in my possession the deposit Receipt which the company gave
to my late father on the day he made the deposit and a letter of
authorization will be given to you as to enable you stand on my behalf
and claim the safe from the security firm. I'm 24yrs old and I really
don't know what to do than to seek your assistance in claiming these
funds on my behalf.

I'm facing a hard time living without my parents. I didn't expect my
dad to go so soon, His death has brought sorrows to my life and this
is why I sincerely seek your assistance in this regards. Your
suggestions and ideas will be highly appreciated.

My sincere regards,
Ms.Deborah William

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