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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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Fraud email example:

From: SAZON FERNANDO <sazo1414@netscape.net>
Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2005 14:28:24 +0200
Subject: MY LAST WISH URGENT

Dear Friend,

As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I
believe everyone will die someday. My name is SAZON FERNANDO a merchant
in PHILLIPINES .I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer .

It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have
only about a few months to live, according to medical experts. I have
not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for
anyone(not even myself)but my business.
Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to
people and 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 believe
when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my
life a different way from how I have lived it.

Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of my property
and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few
close friends. I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so, I
have decided to give also to charity organizations, tsunami victims, and
orphanage homes,
as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I
have distributed
money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, Algeria and Malaysia.
Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself
anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts
and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in
Bulgaria and Pakistan, they refused and kept the money to themselves.

Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended
with what I have left for them. The last of my money which no one knows
of is the huge cash deposit of eighteen million dollars $18,000.000
that I have with a finance/Security Company abroad. I will want you to
help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations.

I have set aside 20% for you and some expences that may incure during
the proccess of these transaction.
God be with you.

SAZON FERNANDO

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