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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.Lynn B. Charles" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <be1206charles@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2017 07:58:17 +0100
Subject: May The Lord Bless You

Bless You My Dear
 
 
I am Mrs.Lynn B. Charles, age 83 years old,I am the wife of late Mr.Robert Charles, I got your information's from my late husband diary we are both from United State Of America, my husband worked with Oil and Gas Company Chevron/Texaco in Africa for twenty years before he pass out.
 
 
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $5.5million with Guaranty Trust Bang,Presently this money is still with the Bank, the bank management just send me an email to come over for the release of this money to me or i should rather issue! somebody to received the money on my behalf. Now I'm in a hospital in Netherlands where I have been undergoing treatment for cancer of the breast and Pneumonia, the doctor told me i may not last up to 3 weeks because of my present situation.
 
 
Please i need your help receiving this money and use the money to help the less privilege once around you, I need your information so i can forward it to the bank to let the management know i have gotten you to receive my funds, I need your Name, Address and Phone number.
 
 
Bless you as i hope to read from you soon.
 
 
Yours Beloved Sister
Mrs.Lynn B. Charles

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