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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: Mrs Nicole Marois <mrs.nicolemarois3333@outlook.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 08:03:15 +0000
Subject: VERY URGENT PLEASE!

Dear Friend,

My name is Mrs. Nicole Maoris, and I was diagnosed for cancer for
about 2 years ago. And the doctor says that I have few days to leave.
I am from France (Paris) but based in Africa Burkina Faso since eight
years as a business woman dealing with gold exportation. Now that I am
about to end the race like this, without any family members and no
child.
I have decided to donate what I have to you; I have been touched by
God to donate from what I have and what I inherited from my late
husband to you for good work of God. I have asked God to forgive me
and believe he has because he is a merciful God I will be going in for
an operation soon.

I decided to will/donate the sum of $ 2.5 million dollars to you for
the good work of God, and also to help the motherless and less
privilege and also forth assistance of the widows. At the moment I
cannot take any telephone calls right because I am writing this letter
now through the help of my computer beside my sick bed.

I wish you all the best and May the good God bless you abundantly, and
please use the funds judiciously and always extend the good work to
others. As soon you get back to me, I shall give you information’s on
what I need from you then you will contact the bank and tell them I
have willed those properties to you by quoting my personal file
routing and account information. And I have also notified the bank
that I am willing that properties to you for a good, effective and
prudent work. I know I don't know you but I have been directed to do
this by God.
Yours faithful friend.
Mrs. Nicole Maoris

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