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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. Patricia Antonia" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <patriciaaantonia@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 25 May 2019 03:05:15 -0700
Subject: Re: Greetings

My  Beloved One ,
 
I knew that this letter may be a very big surprise to you, I came across your email contact from my personal search and I decided to e-mail you and  I believe that you will be honest to fulfill my final wish.
 
I am Mrs Patricia Antonia  from Netherland, I am 68 years old widow suffering from a long time cancer of the breast. From all indication my condition is really deteriorating, and my doctor have courageously advised  me that I may not live beyond the next two months.
 
My husband  and I  lived all days in France  and  he was working here as a contractor, but quite  unfortunately,he died in a fatal motor accident.Since his death I decided  not to re-marry because of my bad state of health and for that I sold all my inherited belongings and deposited all with a bank
 
The management of the BANK  wrote a letter to me as the rightful Legitimate beneficiary to come  forward to receive the money after keeping it for so long or rather issue  a letter of authorization to somebody to receive it on my behalf since I can not come over as a result of my present health condition.
 
It is my last wish to see that this money is invested in any charity organization, the poor and the motherless baby's home and orphanages home.
 
I must let you know  that this was a very hard decision, but I had to take  a bold step towards this issue because I have no further option and that is the reason why I contacted you, believing you will not let me down.
 
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein and my contacting you will not be in vain.
 
Thanks
 
Mrs Patricia Antonia

Anti-fraud resources: