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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: Harold Mesh <mesh@aol.co.uk>
Reply-To: harold.mesh@aol.co.uk
Date: Fri, 16 May 2014 19:43:08 +0100
Subject: Legitimate Proposal(Charity Project)!!



--
I hope this mail gets to you in the best frame of mind. I am sorry if I
am intruding into your privacy by contacting you through this means,
since we do not know each other physically. I actually got your email
from your country's web-directory and i decided the best thing to do is
contact you and tell you my story, I do hope you listen with your heart
as you read through my "Letter". The fact is that I have been directed
by the spirit of humanity to you hoping you will be fair enough to
respond to this task that I shall be putting forward to you. As you
rightly know, our today's world is govern by greed, wickedness,
hostility and hatred. People no longer feel safe dealing with close
friends, relatives, neighbors and loved ones and trust are often
betrayed by people you least expected.

I am sorry for not introducing myself to you before now. I am am Harold
Mesh resident in USA but now undergoing medical treatment in Europe. I
worked with the Gazprom for 10Years in Russia, I married for 40 years
without a child. I do not fancy racial discrimination and am not a
religious fanatic so if you are one of those that thinks his or her
religion or race is superior to that of other persons, please do me the
favor of not replying this mail. I have spent so many good years in this
world and have witness the beautiful and ugly sides of life. I have
learnt not to view life from one perspective because life itself is very
unpredictable. My reason for contacting you is to combine our ideas and
dedication to touch the lives of the less-privilege in some part of the
world so that a good name and legacy would be left after our time on
earth.

I am actually in the hospital sending this mail to you as I have
experienced one trauma after the other. Medical experts have informed me
I might never live to survive this ailment that has plagued the last few
years of my life. This is because this deadly ailment has affected my
vital organs. Somehow,Since the doctor had confirmed my situation that I
will not live long I have decided to give out my money to the poor.
Deposited the sum of 100,000,000.00 (Hundred Million Great British
Pounds Sterling) with my Bank. Presently, this money is still there. I
now feel safer dealing with strangers than people I know due to constant
betrayals I have received from loved ones. Nowadays, only few people
think about assisting orphanage homes and other charity organizations
around the world due to self-centredness. The rich are getting richer at
the expense of the poor. Please respond to this mail as soon as you
finish reading to let me know your opinion about assisting the
less-privilege and if you have
given it

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the
Bank. I will also issue them a letter of authority and change of
ownership certificate,that will empower you as the original beneficiary
of this fund,through my Lawyer. I want you to always pray for me. My
happiness is that I lived a life worthy of emulation. Any delay in your
reply will give me room in sourcing for an individual for this same
purpose. Please assure me that you will act according to my
specification herein.

Thank you and may the Almighty bless you.

Harold Mesh.

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