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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • cathrinesmiths@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: cathrine smiths <cathrine@cathrinesmiths.orangehome.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2006 18:06:08 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: BELOVED FRIEND CAN YOU DO THIS FOR ME





Dear Beloved friend.


I don,t really know who you are ,but peace be unto you as you read this letter. My Instinct tells me that I can trust you by my proposition. My Instinct directed me to send this money to you. I am a widow and a devoted christian, my name is Mrs.Cathrine Smiths from Ireland.


Since my husband died since three years ago,I have been suffering from arthritics and lately doctors have diagnosed me with terminal cancer which left me with approximately twelve months to live. I am currently on wheelchair and being looked after by a nurse and some of my late husband's relatives in turns.Before my husband died,he left some money to the tone of USD$3,800,000.00 (Three Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars Only) and he made me promised him that it should be used for humanitarian work,because we have no children and he doesn't want his brothers to lay hand on it,since they don't believe in God, they have a different vision. This money is currently in a vault with a security company/bank in Europe. If you will promise me that you will use this money to achieve the wish of my husband and me,then I will instruct the security company/bank to release the content of the vault in your name.


Reply me through this my email address: cathrinesmiths@aim.com


For us to discuss so that you can go and claim this money before I die. May God bless you as you walk in the light and glory.


Yours in Vineyard


Mrs.Cathrine Smiths.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam