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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: "Miss Mercy Ayola" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrcayola@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2017 16:36:28 -0700
Subject: Hello Good Day,

Hello Good Day,
 
 
My name is Miss Mercy Ayola, I am a deaf girl the only Daughter of my late parents Mr and  Mrs Fred Ayolu. My father was a highly  reputable business man (A COCOA DEALER) who  operated in the economic capital of (west African Island) during his days. It is sad to  say that he passed away mysteriously in  France during one of his business trips  abroad in October 2016.Though his sudden  death was linked or rather suspected to have  been masterminded by an uncle of his who traveled with him at that time. But God knows  the truth! My mother died when I was just 6 years old, and since then my father took me  so special.
 
Before his death on October, 2016 he called  the secretary who accompanied him to the  hospital and told him that he has the sum of  28.5 Million (TWENTY EIGHT MILLION, FIVE  HUNDRED UNITED STATES DOLLARS) left in a  financial firm. I am a deaf girl and a  university undergraduate and really don't  know what to do, I want an account overseas  where my inheritance fund can be transfer and  after the transaction, I will come over to  your country so that you can start investing  my funds in your project.
 
This is because I have suffered a lot of set  backs as a result of incessant political  crisis here in West Africa. The death of my  father actually brought sorrow to my life. I  am in a sincere desire of your humble  assistance in this regards, I wish to invest  under your care please. Your suggestions and  ideas will be highly regarded. I will give  you 30% of the total sum for your assistant  provided while the balance of 70% will be  invested in your country under your care.
 
Please, Consider your help and get back to me  as soon as possible so that I can give you  the details of the transaction.
 
Best regards,
Miss Mercy Ayola
Email: mrcayola@gmail.com

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