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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: "Charity Purpose" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bejesbejes120@aim.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Dec 2013 06.07.02 +0100
Subject: Help Distribute My Charity Funds

Given my current state of health,I have decided to donate what I inherited from my late husband to enable you help the poor and needy. I am Mrs Tranko Wall, a devoted christian.I will donate the funds to float the foundation {worth millions of dollars} and need somebody to help me finish it because of my health.I was diagnosed for cancer about 2 years ago and I have few months to live according to medical experts.I want you to Distribute my funds($US 10,300,000.00 million) to charities.I want you to help me dispatch the deposit I have with a finance/Security Company abroad to the motherless,lessprivileged and widows I have set aside 30% for you.I will tell you more about this transaction upon your reply to email bejesbejes@aol.com Yours in Christ,Ms Tranko Wall

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