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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: "MRS. REGINA AHMED" <reginaahmed@netscape.net>
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2005 02:14:59 +0200
Subject: {Spam?} AN ACT OF FATE.

Greetings.

my name is Mrs Regina Ahmed, widow to late Mr. Hassan Ahmed,
fomer owner of PETROLEUM AND GAS company ,here in kuwait.
I am 68years old, suffering from long time cancer of the breast.
From all indications my condition is really
deteriorating and it's quite obvious that I won't
live more than 2 months according to my doctors.
This is because the cancer stage has gotten to a
very bad stage. i dont want your pity but i need your trust.

My late husband died early last year from
heart attack, and during the period of our marriage
we couldn't produce any child. My late husband was
very wealthy and after his death,I inherited all his
business and wealth.The doctor has advised me that I
will not live for more than 2 months, so I have now
decided to spread all my wealth, to contribute mainly
to the development of charity in Africa, America, Asia
and Europe.am sorry if you are embarrased by my
mail.i found your e-mail address in the web
directory,and i have decided to contact you,but if
for any reason you find this mail offensive,you can
ignore it and please accept my appology.

before my late husband died he was a major oil tycoon,
in kuwait and deposited the sum of 25 million dollars
(Twenty Five million dollars) in a company in europe some
years ago,thats all i have left now,i need you to collect this funds
and distribute it yourself to charity .

so that when i die my soul can rest in peace.
the funds will be entirely in hands and management.
i hope God gives you the wisdom to touch
very many lives,that is my main concern.

20% of this money will be for your time and effort,
while 80% goes to charity.

God bless you.

Mrs Regina Ahmed

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