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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: URGENT REPLY NEEDED <dhillon_kiran_169@yahoo.co.in>
Reply-To: mr_campbellwilliam@yahoo.cn
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:44:15 +0530 (IST)
Subject: From: Mr. Campbell William


From: Mr. Campbell William
Brooklands,Weybridge
Surrey,KT13 0NY
London,UK.
 
 
Greetings,
 
Dear Sir/Madam,
 
As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me because I believe everyone will die someday.
 
My name is Campbell William from London, UK; I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer which was discovered very late, due to my laxity in caring for my health. It has defiled all forms of medicine, and right now I have only about a few months to live according to medical experts.
 
I have since lost my power of speech and can only manage to write now; as that has been the only way I am able to communicate.
 
I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone not even myself but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I may have been hostile to people in the recent times and only focus on my business as that is the only thing I cared for.
 
 
But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world.
 
I believe in my second chance to this world, I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that I know my time is near, I have willed and given most of my properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members and as well as a few close friends.
 
I wish my soul will be accepted and a second chance granted to this world, I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I did on earth. So far, I have distributed huge amount worth tangible to some charity organizations in UK, Brazil and Ireland. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this my self any more. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and donate the money to a charity organization in Bulgaria; but they refused and kept the money to themselves.
.
 
Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contented with what I have left for them. The last of my money which only few of them knows of, is the huge cash deposit that I have with my Bank here in London.
 
I would like you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations nearest to you and keep some for your decent and clean efforts while you do as I instructed.
Kindly reply to my direct email address: ( mr_campbellwilliam@yahoo.cn )
 
Regards,
Mr. Campbell William



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