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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: Mary john <maryjohnk789@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2019 05:33:40 -0700
Subject: Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Mrs.Mary John, from UK. How are you doing today? I know this message
may come to you as a surprise, please consider this with all seriousness I
solicited your assistance in the most polite language. I counted you worthy
for this transaction I am a dying woman who had decided to donate what I
have to Charities as I was diagnosed for cancer about two years ago
immediately after the death of my husband.
Life for me in this world is not that important since we are passing our
life in this world so we can have a place in Heaven

I have been touched by God to donate from what I have inherited from my
late husband for the good work of God, rather than allow his relatives to
use my husband's hard earned funds ungodly As I lay on my sick bed, 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 $7.522, SEVEN Million five
hundred and twenty two thousand United State Dollars to you which I want
you to distribute part of it to any charity home, for your kindness, on
this work you are to carry out I am offering you 40% while 60% of the Fund
will go to any Charity organizations of your choice for me. Please I am
looking forward to hearing from you soon.

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