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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: William Stevenson <help@alert.com>
Reply-To: william4help1@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2011 19:34:10 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Service For Humanity Sake


Dearly Beloved,

My name is William Stevenson a British merchant based in Dubai.I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer It has defied all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical experts. 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 was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was 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 when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that God Is About To Call me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends.I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so, I have decided to give also to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in Africa and Asia including the tsunami victims.Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization 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 before I became ill.Presently, I am still having a deposit with a Finance house that is yet to be disposed of. I Beg You In The name of God to Help Me Take The Money To Any Orphanage Home Close To You.I Believe That You Would Offer This Service For Humanity Sake.May The Good God Bless You And Your Family,

I Await Your Response.

Regards.
William Stevenson




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