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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 Charles" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <charlescarolyn81@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2018 18:06:46 +0300
Subject: May The Lord Bless You

May The Lord Bless You My Dear
 
I am Mrs. Lynn Charles from Providence Rhode Island, United State of America, age I'm 75 years old, I am married to Mr. Richard Charles, from Africa Nigeria, my husband and I worked with Shell Oil and Gas Company in Africa before he died after a brief illness that lasted only 1 week, we were married for Fifty-nine years without a child, since the death of my late husband his family has been on my neck and frustrating my life and even threatening to kill me if I don't give them my late husband property, but they end up taking everything from me.
 
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of ($15.5 million USD) with Diamond Bank of Nigeria, Presently this money is still with the Bank my Doctor told me recently that I would not last due to the cancer illness. Having known my condition, I decided to donate this funds to a good person that will utilize it the way I am going to instruct herein. I need a very honest and person who can claim this money and use it for Charity works, for orphanages and widows who are in need of help.
 
This morning I got an email from the bank management to come over for the release of the funds to me as the next of kin to my late husband or I should rather issue! somebody to receive it on my behalf.  Presently I'm in hospital in Indian where I have been undergoing treatment, my dear I need your help receiving this fund and use it for my wishes, I need your information requested below so I can forward it to the bank to let the management know I have gotten you as my next of kin to receive my funds.
 
First Name:
Last Name:
Address:
Phone Number:
 
Bless you as i hope to read from you soon
Yours in Christ
Mrs. Lynn Charles

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