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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: "Cancer" <hgjgjfknvnvnvbfffghn@poczta.onet.pl>
Reply-To: <zatima2008@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2010 05:44:07 -0700
Subject: Trustworthy !!!!!!

My Dearest,
This mail may come to you as a surprise but be rest assured that this is not a hoax mail. Greetings in the Name of our GOD.
I am Mrs. ZATIMA MOHAMMED an EGYPTIAN citizen doing my missionary work here in Cotonou Benin Republic,West Africa. I am a widow to late Dr. Mohammed and I am 47 years old.
 
I am suffering from long time cancer of the heart. From all indications, my condition is really deteriorating and it is obvious that I will not live much more long according to my doctors.
This is because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. We could not have  any child when my husband was alife.
My late husband was very wealthy and after his death,I inherited all his businesses and wealth. As the doctors has advised me that I may not live long, so I now decided to divide part of this wealth, to distribute to the development of the church, mosque and orphanage in Africa, America, Asia and Europe and middle east. I selected you after visiting the website. Moreover, I prayed over it. I am willing to donate the sum of US$8.5 Million U.S Dollars to you for the less privilege children.
Please I want you to note that this fund is lying in a Bank and upon my instruction, the bank will effect the Transfer of the money to your bank account in your own name. Lastly, I honestly pray that this money when transferred to you will be used for the said purpose, because I have come to find out that wealth acquisition without GOD is vanity upon vanity.
I await your urgent reply.
Bye and God Bless,
Mrs.ZATIMA MOHAMMED
 
 
 

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