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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: "Betty Mumba" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <betty.mumba11@yandex.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 05:49:19 -0400
Subject: Yes You Can (From me to You)

Beloved,

My name is Betty Mumba the mother to Gerard St. Germaine and Yvette St. Germaine
who both died untimely in an Egypt Air crash of 1999. You can view this web site
for your perusal and find the names of my Children who also perished in that ill
fated air disaster.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/egyptair/article/0,,196602,00.htm

I am from Haiti and married to a Chinese, Chen Yun Ba.I lost my husband for almost 5 years .I have suffered gravely and was diagnosed of Cancer. I lived with the scourge praying earnestly for divine intervention. Just a month ago, the doctor informed me that I have just about a month more to live. My husband deposited $5.5M with a bank. I want to donate this fund to charity and I need your help as I do not have a child to inherit this fund, all I want is your honesty to carry out this project.Please see this as a chance to assist the less privileged.

Remain blessed,

Betty Kam Mumba

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