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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: "Brenda larry" <brendalarry02@hotmail.com>
Date: 06 Aug 2019 10:05:54 -0700
Subject: Goodwill Greetings

Greetings Dear,
hope you are fine today?
Writing with humanitarian heart,My name is Mrs. Brenda Larry I am 86 years old from UK and was married in United State Of America, I am a dying woman who have  decided to donate what I have to you/churches/ motherless babies/less privileged/widows/. You may be wondering why I chose you, But someone has to be chosen or maybe what i said about investment before, yes it is an investment and i want to know you better at first.  I am 68 years old and was diagnosed for cancer about 2 years ago, I inherited a total sum of $3,150,000.00 million dollars from my late husband, This money is deposited in a reliable bank through my account officer in Bank of China Shenyang; presently this deposit was coded under a secret arrangement as a family treasure. I have informed my Attorney about my decision in WILLING this fund to people all around the world. i have directed Mr Mandes my account officer.

As I lay on my sick bed in the hospital, I want you to help me in carrying out my last wish on earth which will be very profitable to you. I want to WILL a total sum of ($940,000.00 Nine Hundred and forty thousand United States Dollars) to you which I want you to distribute part of it to any charity home help the motherless and less privilege and also for the assistance of the widows because am one of them, for your kindness on this work you are to carry out, I am offering you 30% while 70% of the fund will go to any Charity organizations of your choice for me, please I am looking forward to hearing from you soon i attach my pictures once you are willing to carry this out for me i will draft a letter to my bank so the total money will be transfer to you do not hesitate to ask for more information on this and you will promise never to use this money against the poor.
pray for my soul.
Mrs. Brenda Larry.

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