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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Dorothy Armstrong" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dortarm7@gmx.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:38:24 -0000
Subject: Your Kind Response Needed.

Dear Beloved

I am Mrs. Dorothy Armstrong now undergoing medical treatment for cancer. I was married to Dr. Peter Armstrong who worked with United Kingdom Embassy for ten years before he died in the year 2002.

Before my Husband died, we both made a deposit of a total sum US$6, 500, 000, 00 (Six million, five hundred thousand United States Dollars) in a financial company here in U.K. Recently, my Doctor told me that I have few months to live due to cancer problem. Having known my condition I have decided to donate these funds to an honest Person; who will be trusted in assisting me fulfill my last desire to help the poor and the sick through charity.

Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. Hoping to hear from you. Remember to send your response to this email address: dortarm7@gmx.com

Regards

Mrs. Dorothy Armstrong

Anti-fraud resources: