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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.Mary Jones" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mary.h.jones1@live.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 02:47:12 -0000
Subject: HUMANITARIAN PROJECT.

Beloved ,


Compliments of the season and a happy new year to you! By this e-mail, I do sincerely apologize for my intrusion of your privacy.

However, I have a serious concern with which I believe you might be of help and for this reason, I cannot but reach out to someone - a fellow Brethren. My name as given above is Mary Jones, formerly of the Islamic faith and known as Fatima Usman, Malaysian and married to Saudi Arabian Diplomat Mubarat Harry Jones (Usman). I and my husband have been married for 35 years and has lived and worked around the world as diplomats and worthy ambassadors of both nationalities, until his death to a ghastly auto crash in 2003, shortly after his conversion from Muslim to Christianity.



We've been dedicated Christians and decided to serve mankind to the best of our ability.Since his death, I have lived with the memories, fighting effortlessly to lead a normal life but all to no avail. I suffered mentally and psychologically and shortly was diagnosed of Cancer. I lived with the scourge praying earnestly for divine intervention. Just a month ago, the doctor informed me that I have just about three months more to live. I was not shocked. I accepted the news in good fate. Brethren, it is in this regard that I write to you. Before my husband died, he deposited a sum of $7.5 Million(Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) with a Finance/Security company. I have whole heartedly decided to donate the entirety of this fund to any sincere person for these purposes:


1: To set up a cancer center to assist victims of it
2: For the sick, less-privileged and destitute
3: For the Widows and orphans These are the wishes of a dying woman.


They are the desires of my heart, hence my decision as I do not have a child to take over my inheritance.My family, relatives and late husband's people are Muslim infidels who all come around me as I sojourn in my hospital bed and are unaware of my plight, hence I will not be able to make an open conversation.


When I receive your response, I will direct you at once to the Finance/Security Company. I will also empower you with a letter of authority as the new beneficiary to this fund with all necessary documentation.All I need from you is Truthfulness, Honesty and Sincerity assuring me that you can in all honesty and obedience utilize the funds for the purpose with which it is meant. In any a case, a quick response from you will be highly appreciated as I am already on a count-down and may not have ample time to finalize the procedures. Any delay in response may compel me to source for other measures or perhaps choose the alternative which I will not be happy to.Please, do not see this as a strange possibility or an unbelievable opportunity to make wealth, rather see this as a rare chance to assist the less privileged.


I await your immediate response via my private email address(mary.h.jones1@live.com).



Yours Sincerely,

Mrs.Mary Jones.

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