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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: "Maggie Griffiths" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <magiegriffithsss@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2014 09:57:58 -0700
Subject: RE: my PLEDGE

helo dear sir,madam ,
my name is Mrs. Maggie Griffiths, a nationality of Sud Africain. i have been diagnosed of advanced cervical cancer. my doctor now informed me my illness has defiles all forms of medical treatment and that i have barely two weeks to live. i have US$18.5million i vow to God almighty that i will donate and distribute them to charities organization for humanitarian cause before i die.
After reviewing your profile, i have prayed seriously and God almighty directed me to contact you and entrust those money to you to assist me to executive my humanitarian vow and desire to propagate the Faith of God in this world by reaching out to the poor displaced people, downtrodden, orphanage, natural disasters victims etc.
If you accept to assist me please send your reply for more information.
pls don't be late in reply. God bless you
yours true God fearing
mrs Maggie Griffiths

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