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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: ELIZABETH
Reply-To: <elizabeth.charles8080@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2015 17:44:13 +0530
Subject: PROPOSAL.


Hi Permit me to inform you of my desire of going into business relationship=
with you, please i need a trust-worthy person that will help me to receive=
this money.I am very sorry. I hope that you will read through this email a=
nd understand how difficult things can be for someone in a particular perio=
d in life, I introduce my self to you with all faith, trust and hope you wi=
ll understand to assist me not to betray me at the end. My name is Mrs. Eli=
zabeth Charles from Cote d'Ivoire , I am 59 years old, I am suffering from =
a long time Cancer of the breast. From all indication my condition is reall=
y deteriorating, and my Doctors have courageously advised me that I may not=
live beyond next month, this is Because the cancer stage has reached a cri=
tical stage. I was brought up in a Motherless baby as home, and was married=
to my late husband for twenty years we have only one child his name is Dav=
id. My husband and I are true Christians, but quite unfortunately, he Died =
on the 2011 presidential election in our country. Before his death we were =
both born again Christians. I decided not to re-marry, My husband Deposited=
the sum of $5.2million dollars here in Cote d'Ivoire Presently, this money=
is still with the bank i want you to use this money to take care of my onl=
y son and also invested the money into a very good LUCRATIVE VENTURE of you=
r choice that will be giving out proceeds to be distributed each year Among=
the charity organization, the poor and the motherless baby as, orphanage H=
omes and widows around. I must let you know that this was a very hard decis=
ion, But I had to take a bold step towards this issue because I have no fur=
ther option. I hope you will help see my last wishes come true. Best regard=
s, Mrs. Elizabeth Charles

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