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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: Patricia Adams <patricia_adams@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: patricia_adams@hotmail.fr
Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 14:01:36 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: My Dear,Please i need your help.


Dearest  One,

My name is Miss Patricia Adams, a 20 years old undergraduate. I am only daughter of Mr. and Mrs.Johnson Adams, My father was a very wealthy Gold and Diamond Merchant  based in Abidjan Cote D'Ivoire, my father was poisoned to death by his business associates while my mother died when I am little and my father took me so special because I am the only child.

Before the death of my father on 4th June 2008 in a hospital here in Cote D'Ivoire , he secretly called me and told me that he deposited some Gold and a huge sum of $7million Dollars ($7,000,000 USD) and the Diamond inside a box which he deposited in Security Company here in Cote D'Ivoire  as family treasure. He also made me understand that it was because of this wealth he was poisoned while on a business trip with them and he instructed me to look for a foreign partner who will help me retrieve this box out from the trust Security Company. Without the knowledge of my uncle who was living with us then.

On the 30th of December 2008 my uncle flew to the London with his children. With all that my father left behind, just because I am a woman and I do not have any right in my father property. My uncle seized all my father's companies and properties because of our traditional believe that I'm a woman. I was left with nothing and dropped out of school because of financial difficulties and my uncle's wicked attitude. Although I have contacted the security company they confirmed the lodgement. My purpose of contacting you is for you to help me, as my late father advised me at his sick bed.

1) To retrieve this box with the Gold, money and Diamonds inside to your location
2) To make arrangement for me to come to your country to continue my education
3) To utilize this money by investing it in good business.

 I am now under hidings to safe my life from any accidental harm that might befall me from them. Please tell me if you will be of assistance to me after your good considerations I am willing to reward you with 15% of the money for your good assistance. As for the Gold and Diamond I hope you can have them for your self. I will be glad if you will get back to me soon to tell me of your interest so that I will give you the contact information of the security company for you to contact them on my behalf as I will be introducing you. I am pleading to you with the name of Almighty God to help me out of this problem. With tiers on my eyes here as I am written you this mail.I am kindly waiting for your soonest response.
 
MAY GOD BLESS YOU,
All my love,
Miss Patricia Adams.
 

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