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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs Silvia Cattaneo" <silviacattaneo@katamail.com>
Reply-To: silviacattaneo1@katamail.com
Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 06:15:53 -0300
Subject: From Mrs Silvia Cattaneo




--
>From Mrs Silvia Cattaneo

It is my Pleasure to write to you after considering your profile my name
is Mrs. Silvia Cattaneo. A nationality of SPAIN. I am married to Mr. Hans
Cattaneo, who worked with Company in Ivory Coast for twelve years before
he died in the year 2012. We were married for twenty years without a
child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only two weeks.
Before his death we were both born again Christians. When my late husband
was alive he deposited the sum of$8.66Million (Eight Million Six hundred
thousand U.S. Dollars) with a bank here in Ivory Coast,


Presently, this money is still with the bank. Recently, my Doctor told me
that I would not last for the next three months due to cancer problem.
Though what disturbs me most is my stroke. Having known my condition I
decided to donate this fund to church or better still a Christian
individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct
here in. I want a church that will use this fund to churches, orphanages,
Research centers and widows propagating the word of God and to ensure that
the house of God is maintained. The Bible made us to understand that
blessed is the hand that giver.

I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this
money and my husband's relatives are not Christians and I don't want my
family hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers. 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.

I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14
says that the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace. I don't
need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health and
the presence of my family relatives around me always. I don't want them to
know about this development.

With God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall
give you the contact of the bank where the money is deposited by my late
husband. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you
as the new beneficiary of this fund. I want you and the church to always
pray for me because the lord is my shepherd. My happiness is that I lived
a life as a worthy Christian. Whoever that wants to serve the Lord must
serve him in spirit and truth. Please always be prayerful all through your
life. Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for a church
or Christian individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you
will act accordingly as I stated here.

Hoping to hearing from you as soon possible.
.

Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Silvia Cattaneo

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