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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: "Mat Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrmatjohnson@live.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2011 02:22:11 +0100
Subject: Mr Mat Johnson

My name is Mat Johnson, a business merchant in Dubai, Arab. I have been diagnosed with Cancer which was discovered very late, due to my laxity in careing for my health. It has defiled all forms of medicine, Right now I have only about a few months to live, according to my Medical Doctor. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for myself but the oil business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. 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 so much believe that if God gives me a second chance and heal me I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. I have sowed a seed for my healing I have willed and given most of my properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members and as well as a few close friends.

I pray that God will be merciful on me and accept my soul , I have decided to give arms to charity organizations and give succor and comfort to the less privileged of the Tsunami Victims, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth.

So many occasions i have distributed money to some charity organizations in India and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly,I cannot do this my self anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts in Saudi Bank and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization and to the less privileged in Bulgaria and Sudan Africa They cashed the money but kept it only to themselves.

>From now hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them already.
The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of twenty two million dollars $ 22 million that I have in the Vault of a Financial company in europe for safe keeping. I want you to collect this deposit on my behalf and disburse it to the Tsunami Earth Quake victims in Asia for the less privileged.

I have set aside 20% for you for your time and efforts. I need your urgent reply so that I will not have to go on sarching for a incredible person to handle this project.
If you are okey with the condition, do not hesitate to send me mail to(mrmatjohnson@live.com) so that i will furnish you up with all the information needed.
I will wait to hear from you.

May almighty God bless you for your understanding.
Mr Mat Johnson

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