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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: "Mrs. Emily Sommer" <mrs.emily_sommer@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: mrs.emilysommer@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 03:36:29 -0700
Subject: Greetings to you my dear beloved one.

Greetings to you my dear beloved one.

Your first reaction to this mail will be total rejection, scare and may be
unbelief, owing largely to the atrocities people commit these days in quest
for easy wealth. This email comes from a devastated, sorrowful and
emotional laden soul who needs compassion from a kind and conscience driven
person, who can wipe away my tears against all odds, perhaps when I am gone
beyond this sinful world.

I was married to late Dr. Ron Sommer, who left me with unimaginable pain to
eternity after a brief illness. I have been entrusted with Four Million,
Eight Hundred United States Dollars ($4.8 Million) the accrued savings and
life insurance gratuity of my late husband in the custody of a Finance
Company.

I have been diagnosed of a complex case of ovarian cancer that has spread
upto my pelvic cavity; Consequently, it is due for surgery as the only
'cure' according to experts, a 'cure' that allows me to breath for few
days. Obviously, according to my doctor, my days are numbered! I may die
any moment from the above sickness.

I took this decision because I want you to recover the money for your
prudent care, management and safekeeping. Use it to secure traveling papers
for my daughter (Ms. Charlotte Sommer) who is presently in one of the West
African country (Accra-Ghana) and train her as your adopted child. Since my
illness is terminal and the fact that relatives and friends have plundered
so much of my wealth I cannot live with the agony of entrusting this huge
responsibility to any of them because my daughter is like my mirror now.

In view of the complexity of my illness, my best legacy for my daughter
will be to have her grown into adulthood under the supervision of someone
whose mind is driven by conscience.

I place no conditions on your management of my funds except taking good
care of my daughter until she attains age of reasoning. I am not afraid of
death since I know where I am going but seriously worried about the safety
and future survival of my dearest daughter. I will appreciate it the more
if you give me your reply no matter your state of mind, negatively or
positively I will be honored to receive your response.

Please oblige me your assistance in this humble assignment before I give up
the ghost.

Remain abundantly blessed,

Yours truly,
Emily Sommer.

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