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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: micheal evans <micheal11evans@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2011 23:31:33 -0700
Subject: greetings

Dear friend
I offer my friendship, and my greetings, and I hope this letter meets
you in good time. It will be surprising to you to
receive this proposal from me since you do not know me personally.
I am Micheal Evans from United Kingdom (London), I am 60 years old,
I am suffering from a esophageal cancer. from all
indication my conditions is really deteriorating and it is quite
obvious that I can't work or do any stressful thing,
according to my doctors they have advised me that I may not live for
Long, this is because the cancer has gotten to a very
bad stage.
Presently, I have Certain Amount of Money that I will ask you to
receive as the true owner on my behalf and use it for charity Purposes
instead of getting it taken over by the Bank where the funds are
deposited I rather have someone whom I can trust to receive the funds
and utilize it according to my Wishes.
Presently, I am using my laptop in the hospital in United Kingdom
(London) where I have been undergoing Chemotherapy for my
sickness. I have lost my ability to talk It is my last wish to see
atleaset 60% of this money invested/donated to any
organization/business of your choice and distributed each year among
the charity organization, e.g. the poor homes, the motherless babies
home
All I seek for is a God fearing person like you ,who will carry out my
last wishes and before I emailed you today I prayed.
my spirit gave me the confidence to send you this email. I took this
decision, before I rest in peace because my time will
soon be up.
As soon as I receive your reply I will direct you to my personal
Lawyer, He Is Presently Undergoing Seminal Research In
Ireland, he does everything on my Behalf and he's a very understanding
Person and I believe he will lead you according to my
Instructions and ensure that you Receive this Fund Successfully.
Please send me the Below information
NAME:
ADDRESS:
AGE:
OCCUPATION:
TELEPHONE NO:
All I need from you is a confidential assurance that the funds when
received by you will be used for the said purpose,
Nowadays there are so much scams going on in the internet and it is
difficult to trust but I Believe that the Almighty God
will not direct me to a wrong person that will misuse this fund on a
selfish interest.
Waiting for your reply.
Micheal Evans

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