419 scam: <my@email.com> Donation,

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: <my@email.com>
Date: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 06:54:20 +0100
Subject: Donation,

ear Sir/Madam,
I am married to Mr. James Williams who was a cocoa merchant in Benin before he died in the year 2004.When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of (7million Dollars) presently this money is still with the Bank.My Doctor told me that I have limited days to live due to the cancerous problems I am suffering from. I have decided to donate this fund through you and want you to use this gift which comes from my husbandâ€™s effort to fund the upkeep of CHURCHES/MOSQUE widows, widowers, orphans, destitute, the down-trodden, physicallychallenged children, barren-women and persons who prove to be genuinely handicapped financially.if you are trusted and know you can handle this project with the fear of GOD/ALLAH get back to me with full details.your names/age/occupation /telephone.
MRS DORIS WILLIAMS

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam