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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: "Elizabth" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ethatcher56@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2014 00:30:30 -0700
Subject: PLEASE GET BACK TO ME!!

Greetings to you and your family,
 
I am Elizabeth Thatcher. I am 64 years old woman suffering from longtime cancer of the breast. From all indications my condition is really deteriorating and it's quite obvious that I won't live more than Six months according to my doctors. This is because the damage the cancer has done to me is very bad. My late husband and I during the period of our blissful marriage couldn't produce any child of our own.
 
My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business and wealth. The doctor has advised me that I may not live for more than Six months but I believe God for a miracle and that it is only by the power of God that can determine my life span, so I now decided to divide part of this wealth, to contribute to the development of the less privileged /motherless homes and poor and churches and mosque in Africa, America, Asia and Europe, and most
especially over there in your area where you are. I am donating $6million.I selected you and I prayed over it and my heart accepts you as the right person to help me carry out this duty I have made for God,
 
Please I want you to note that the funds are deposited in my account with LLOYD BANK here in London, upon my instruction, you will have a change of ownership of the money in your name which myself and my attorney will confirmed you right.Finally, I honestly pray that this money when released to you will be used for the said purpose and not otherwise. Again because of my condition here in the hospital now. If you are interested kindly contact me as soon as possible for more information. Please reply to my personal email as soon as possible:
 
Regards and GOD Bless,
 
Mrs.Elizabeth Thatcher

Anti-fraud resources: