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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: "MRS KATHERINE MCPHERSON" <info@investment.com>
Reply-To: mrskatherinemcpherson@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:29:30 +0200
Subject: PLEASE YOUR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE NEEDED

Dear. Ma/Sir

I am complete citizen of United State of America.
I was the Wife of Late Mr. JOHN MARK he worked with America Embassy as An Ambassador for years and hold Political positions in United State of America before he died in the year October 27 2009. We were married for 19 years without a child.
He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both born believers and we lived happily. Since his death, I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home due to the love I have for my late Husband.
Before my husband Death I inherited a total sum of $5,500,000.00 (Five million and five hundred thousand dollars) from my late Husband when he was in his Sick bed, This money which is concealed in a metallic trunk box is deposited with a security and finance company in united state of America the capital city of California under a secret arrangement as a family treasure.
This means that the security company does not know the content of this box that was shipped from the united state.
Recently l Fell Sick and my Doctor told me that from all the test conducted on my health, Without and Urgent and a specialist From your Country I am not going to last long, especially, due to my Throat cancer and stroke. But what disturbs me most now is stroke.
Having known my condition, I decided to Contact you and Reveal to you in person regarding my Heritage from my Late husband after my late husband brothers has neglected me and has well sit on my late husband properties and his bank accounts.
So I will seek the help of your Godly person that will help me Secure the release of this Fund from were it was deposited and utilize this money the way I am going to instruct. And also help me in your Country for best Medical Treatment.
I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives have kept me under duress just to know the were about of this said fund, after they have inherited all my late Husband Properties because l couldn’t bear a Child for their late brother.
I don't want my husband's hard earned money will to me to be misused or taken from me by my late husband wicked brothers and use for their own selfish interest and in an ungodly manner.
I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health and because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me sometimes. I don't want them to know about this development, but I know that With God all things are possible.
As soon as I receive your reply in my next mail I shall give you the contact of the Security and finance company in United Kingdom and the Authorization Certificate which is the Certificate of deposit that they gave me on the very day when the consignment of money was deposited under their company to enable you call them and give them your address for the immediate shipment of the consignment to you as the original- beneficiary of this fund.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. Hoping to hear from you soon. Indicate your interest.

Please, kindly contact me on my direct email address: mrskatherinemcpherson@hotmail.com for further detail on this transaction.

MRS Katherine Mcpherson.

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