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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: Jannet Orton <jannetorton74@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2014 07:30:26 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Helping the work of God

Re: Helping the work of God

Dear in Christ .

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I'm Mrs. Janet Orton American citizen, a widow to late Dr. Morgan Orton, I'm 74 years old. I am now a new Christian convert, suffering from long time cancer of the breast, from all indications my condition is really deteriorating and it's pretty obvious that I will not live more than six months because the cancer stage is very bad.

My husband was killed during the Gulf War, and during the period of our marriage we could not have any child. My husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business and wealth. The doctor advised me that I cannot live for more than six months, so I decided to divide part of this wealth, to contribute to the development of the Church and the poor in need.

I selected your congregation after visiting the website and I prayed over it, I am willing to donate the sum of Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars for your work in helping the poor and needy, less privileged among your congregations. Finally I will live the fund also to be used for sick children (HIV/AIDS) . Please I want you to note that this fund is deposited in bank in the country where my late husband worked and do business, so my lawyer will file the application for the transfer of money in the name of your organization/ congregation. Lastly I honestly pray that this money when transferred will be used for that purpose, I have come to find out that wealth acquisition without Christ is vanity upon vanity.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is with you.

I await your response as soon as you could.

Yours in Christ.
Mrs. Janet Orton

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