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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: "maria stevens" <maria_stevens101@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 15:09:36 +0000
Subject: very urgent response needed.

Dear Child of God, call my personal attorney immediately.

My name is Mrs Maria Steven ,an old time businesswoman from Lome-Togo. I
would like to share my pain with you . I have been diagnosed with cancer of
the brain.I have tried all my best with all the money i have to treat it ,
but to no avail. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, it is
getting worse day by day .
I have given enough of my wealth to my family members,and i do not trust
their competent to help me distribute the rest of my welth to charity which
happens to be my last wish, so i decided to contact you. I have about
US$2,500,000 ( Two millon Five hundred thousand Dollars ) which i depostied
with a security bank so long ago in Europe that only my lawyer knows about
and none of my family members know about it. I wish you as a child of God to
help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations.
Recently my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months
due to my cancer problem,Though what disturbs me most is my stroke. Also i
have decided that you should take 20% from the fund for yourself once you
claim the funds from the security bank in Europe.

Hence the reason for taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of death
hence 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 dont want
any of my family relatives to recieve this money,for i have viaw to God that
this very deposit is for the mother less and destitues. With God all things
are possible.

As soon as i receive your reply,i will give to you the Finance/bank in
Europe!which you are going to contact for the release of this funds to your
account. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you
as the new beneficiary of this fund,which as soon as my personal lawyer here
from you.all will be commence accordingly with copys of certificates which
have to be signed and stamp by the ecowas chief justice on your behalf to
back your representation as my trustfull brother and partner as regards to
this claim. I want you and the church you worship to always pray for me
because the lord is my shepherd.

My happiness is that I live a life of 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. Please assure me that you will act
accordingly as I stated here. You can contact my personal Attorney at
bellow! to enable them assist you commence this very matter as fast as
possible.
BARRISTER IDOKKO O.IDOKKO
CHAMBERS & AVOCATS
LOME TOGO REP WEST AFRICA
barristeridokko@ureach.com
Tel: 00 228 913 2447.

May the lord be with you.
Mrs Maria Steven.

_________________________________________________________________
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