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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: "Fred Abe" <save_mrfred@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2005 22:54:59 +0000
Subject: PLEASE IT IS ME FRED

                                                                                                                
 
 
Dear friend,
                                                                                            
My name is Mr Fred Abe, i am a 48 years old man from Nigeria. I am
married with five children;amongst whom are three girls and two boys. Iam a self employed (trader). I trade on textile materials.
I was living a healthy and happy life, life and business was going on fine. Until the 3rd of october 2005; when i was diagnosed of having "cancer of the lungs". It all started when i began to notice morning headache,blurred vision,unexplained weight loss,swelling of the feets and ankles,difficulty in breathing properly,costipation and serious cough.
So when i visited the doctor, i was diagnosed of having cancer of the lungs.The doctor said i needed to undergo a lung volume redution surgery to stay alive.The doctor said the sum of $35,000(us dollars) was required to carry out the sugical operation in the United State of America.
Infact my entire world is full of tension,fear and confusion right now, because i dont know how i will be able to raise this amount of money; for the operation. I keep asking my self the question;why me? Although i have heard of people suffering from cancer,but i never thought i will be having it some day.
I have tried all i can to raise this money required for the surgical operation.I have borrowed cash from friends and relatives,but i have still not been able to get the total amount of $35,000(us dollars) required for the surgical operation.I no longer go to work, not only because of my health condition, but because i have sold my shop and many other things i have, to get this money required for the surgical operation. I dont want to die,i have a wife and five kids to take care of; my kids are young and are still in school.I really want to become healthy again and be able to take care of my family.I dont know any body else to run to,i am not from a wealthy family background,so this has made it difficult for me to get relatives who can help me out with this amuont of money.
Please i beg and ask that you support me in any way you can,so i can be able to undergo this surgical operation, for i have no other hope of raise this money required for the surgical operation; and the earlier the surgical operation is done, the more my
chances of survival.
I pray that you will be rewarded abundantly in return for every help rendered and for taking time to read my mail.I await your reply soon.
To reply me, here is my contact email address: mail_abe2k5@yahoo.com

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