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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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Almiral Ahmed <a.almiral30@yahoo.com.my>
Reply-To: madamalmirah@yahoo.com.my
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:28:00 +0800 (CST)
Subject: From Mrs. Almirah Ahmed.


From Mrs. Almirah Ahmed.
Center De Santa Bethesda Hospital
83BP: 1730 Gbejromede
Cotonou Benin Republic

Compliments of the day

It is with tears and pains that I write this mail from my sick bed in a
hospital. I believe you have never met such a condition before. My
name is Mrs.Almira Ahmed, widow to late Mr. Khalid Ahmed, former owner of PETROLEUM AND GAS Company, here in Benin Republic. I am 68 years 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 don't want your pity me, but I need your trust. My late husband died in December 2003 in a plane crash in Benin,(please check,
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/index.html)

During the period of our marriage we couldn't produce any child. My
late husband was very wealthy and after his dea th, 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 embarrassed by my mail.

I found your e-mail address as a real Child of God for over a month now
that I have been investigating about you to know if really you are
working according to the direction of God so after all my investigation I
am convince, 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
apology before my late husband died he was a major oil tycoon, in Benin and deposited the sum of US$8 Million (Eight Million Dollars only) in Asia years ago, That's all I have left now, I need your help to collect
this funds and distribute it yourself to charity homes.So that when I die
my soul will rest in peace.

The funds will be entirely in your manage ment hope God gives you the
wisdom to touch very many lives that is my main concern. 20%of this fundwill be for your time and effort, while 80% goes to charity.

God bless you.
Mrs.Almira Ahmed


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam