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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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Fraud email example:

From: Mary Jones <marjoney@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2004 07:11:12 -0800
Subject: PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USE FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD.

From: Mrs Mary Jones

PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USE FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
I am the above named person from Kuwait. I am
married to Dr Hilarry Jones who worked with Kuwait
embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died
in the year 2000.We were married for eleven years
without a child. He died after a brief illness that
lasted for only four days.When my late husband
was alive he deposited the sum of $8.6Million (Eight
Million six hundred thousand U.S. Dollars) with one
finance/security company in Amsterderm Holland.
Presently, this money is still with the Security
Company. 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 sickness.
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 fund churches, orphanages 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 giveth.
I took this decision because I don't have any child
that will inherit this money and my husband relatives
are not Christians and I don't want my husband's hard
earned money to be misused by unbelievers. I don'twant
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. I don't need
any telephone communication in this regard
because of my health .As soon as I receive your reply
I shall give you the contact of the Finance/Security
Company in Amsterderm Holland. I will also
issue you a letter of authority that will prove you as
the original-beneficiary of this fund.
Please assure me that you will act
accordingly as I stated herein. Hoping to hear from
you.
Faithfully,
Mary Jones.

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