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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. Rita Bernard" <ritabernard@excite.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2015 20:00:32 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Greetings.


Greetings.

Greetings
to you and your family in the name of God,in my search for a reliable
and God fearing person and having gotten your contact through prayers
and pains taking efforts via searching I made on the internet on my bed
side. Presently, I'm in a hospital where I have been undergoing
treatment for esophageal cancer.

Though its a sad and long story
but I will cut it short for your quick and easy understanding. I am Rita Bernard (Mrs), widow to Late Mr. David Bernard, former Defense
attache to Greece Embassy in Cote Ivoire. My husband was murdered
alongside our only son Elvis by those who are envious of his position in
the same office.

Before his death he made a vow to use his
wealth for the down trodden,orphanages and the less privileged in the
society. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to an
individual or better still a God fearing person who will utilize this
money the way I am going to instruct here in. I want an individual that
will use this fund and provide succor to poor and indigent persons,
orphanages, and widows and for the propagating peace.

I took this
decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money
and my husband relatives are not inclined to helping poor persons and I
do not want my husband's hard earned money to be misused or spent in the
manner in which my late husband did not specify. I do not want a
situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner.

What
is required of you is your honesty, trust and sincerity. Any delay in
your reply will give me room in sourcing for another individual for this
same purpose.
May God Almighty bless you.
Rita Bernard (Mrs).

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