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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: "Grace Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsgrace.johnsonfavor@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:38:55 -0700
Subject: HELLO BELOVED ONE

From: Mrs Grace Johnson

I am the above name person from the Republic Of Senegal. I am married to Dr Alfred Johnson who worked with Senegalese Embassy in South Africa for nine years before he died in the year 2003. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both believers and we lived happily as one Family.

When my late husband was alive he secured $15Million (Fifteen Million U.S. Dollars) with a Financial Institution here in West Africa. Presently, this money is still with the Vault deposit company. I have been seriously sick for the past three years now. Recently, my Doctor told me that from all the test conducted on my health, I am not going to last long, especially, due to cancer and stroke which worries me most. This have indeed put me into serious panic and confusion.

Having known my condition according to the Doctors here, I decided to move this money immediately to any Organization that can utilize this money specifically for the work of almighty. I want an organization or individual that will use this money to fund Orphanages, Widows, and the less privileged ones. Also, the propagation of the work of almighty, building and orphanage project through this money, is very important. I took this bold decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my late husband relatives are not good. I don't want my late husband's hard earned money to be misused by this wicked people for their own selfish interest and in an ungodly manner. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the almighty.

I am presently in a hospital receiving some treatment.

As soon as I receive your reply, I shall give you further information, and the contact of the vault deposit company where this money is presently lodged. I will also give you all information regarding the lodgement of this money, I want you and any Organization you belong to always pray for me because almighty works in mysterious ways. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy person and my late husband was also a believer before he passed away. I will also want you to speak with me through the Hospital telephone number which I will give to you as soon as I hear from you. Please always be prayerful all through your life.

Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for another organization or individual for this same purpose, but for now, I am contacting you alone in due confidence. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. Hoping to hear from you soon.
May our Almight bless you and your Family, and also grant you all your heart desire.

Yours Sister
Mrs Grace Johnson

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