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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 Elizabeth Potter <mrselizabethpotter893@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2022 02:21:26 -0700
Subject: Dearest,

Dearest,

I am Mrs. Elizabeth Potter from New Jersey USA. I am the largest
shareholder of Woodbridge, an investment firm that controls Thomson
Reuters.

I deposited the sum of usd 15,000,000 dollars (FIFTEEN Million DOLLARS)
with a bank and the bank management just wrote me as the
beneficiary to come forward to sign for the release of this fund or rather
issue a letter of authorization to somebody to receive it on my behalf if I
cannot come over.

Presently, I'm in a hospital where I have been undergoing treatment for
esophageal cancer. My doctor has told me that I have only a few
months to live. It is my last wish to see this money distributed to charity
organizations, because my relatives and friends have plundered so much of
my wealth since my illness, I cannot live with the agony of entrusting this
huge responsibility to any of them.

Please, I'm seeking for any honest person who will get the Funds from the
bank. and use this money to fund the poor, orphanages, widows and charity
organizations. I took this decision because I don't have any child that
will inherit this money and I don't want my hard-earned money to be misused
by his greedy relatives.

I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly
manner. Hence the reason for taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of
death hence I know where I am going if i die. I want you to
take 40 percent of the total money for your personal use, while 60% of the
money will go to charity. Due to the state of my health.

As soon as I receive your reply, I shall give you the full details.

Remain blessed,

Mrs. Elizabeth Potter

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