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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. Zarina Al-Usman" (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2011 02:24:27 +0100
Subject: Assalamu Alaikum

Assalamu Alaikum
 
Compliments of this Muslim Holy month coupled with your good profile, I want to appoint you to stand as beneficiary to the sum of my Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars.
For the fact that I dont have any biological child of my own who will inherit this money or do I have any adopted child.
 
My husbands relatives have plundered so much of my wealth since my illness and I cannot live with the agony of entrusting any huge responsibility to any of them anymore and that is why I contacted you.
 
I am Mrs. Zarina Al-Usman 58yrs old widow, my husband and I worked with Tullow oil Cote dIvoire before he died seven years ago, I am writing you this message on my sick bed at the hospital where I am undergoing medical treatment I have been diagnosed of Endometrial cancer unfortunately for me my doctor said I don't have any chance to survive except by a miracle I have spent a lot of money on medical treatment yet no improvement.
 
Please, this fund is strictly for implementation to support the vulnerable, less privileged children and widows; by building orphanages in your country so if you are willing and capable to receive this money please I will like you to contact me today.
 
Sallam,
 
Mrs. Zarina Al-Usman

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