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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 Elham Fara <john_heartwell441@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mrs.elham.farah112@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 9 Mar 2019 23:54:49 GMT
Subject: Peace be Upon You.....

My Beloved!
 
Peace be Upon You
 
Iam glad to know you, but God knows you better and he knows why he has directed me to you at this point in time so do not be afraid.
 
I am Mrs. Elham Farah, and I have been suffering from ovarian cancer disease and the doctor says that I have just short time to leave. I am from (Paris) France but based in Africa Burkina Faso since eight years ago as a business woman dealing with gold exportation.
 
Now that I am about to end the race like this, without any family members and no child. I have $3 Million US DOLLARS in Africa Development Bank (ADB) Burkina Faso which I instructed the bank to give (St Andrews Missionary Home) in Burkina Faso. But my mind is not at rest because I am writing this letter now through the help of my computer beside my sick bed.
 
I also have ($4.5 Million) at United Global Security Company (UGSC) here in Burkina Faso and I instructed the Company to release the box to the first foreigner that will apply to the Company after I have gone that they should release the boxes to him/her, but you will assure me that you will take 50% of the money and give 50% to the orphanages home in your country for my heart to rest with GOD.
 
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Company in Burkina Faso if you can do this return back to me immediately before death cross my way so that I will send to you a copy of my international passport which you will show to the Company to make the Company know that I instructed you to contact them for the release of my fund to you, so that you can fulfill my dream of building an orphanage home in your country.
Please respond.
 
Yours Dying Sister
Mrs Elham Farah
mrs.elham.farah112@gmail.com

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