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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: "jwelsh" <jwelsh@terra.com.mx>
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 08:25:06 -0600
Subject: CHARITY ASSISTANCE.


MRS JOANA WELSH
LONDON,
UNITED KINGDOM.
Dear Friend,

PLEASE UTILIZE THE FUNDS JUDICIOUSLY FOR HUMAN BENEFIT.

I am the above named person from LONDON. I am married to MR PATRICK GERALD WELSH who worked with BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION in CANADA for nine years before he died in the year 1999. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.
Before his death we were both born again Christians.Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against.When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of £7.5 Million(Seven Million five hundred thousand pound sterling)with an OFFSHORE BANK here in UK.Presently, this money is still under the safe keeping of the BANK.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next SEVEN months due to my cancer problems.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 on 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 and 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 bossom of the Lord. I know 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. As soon as I receive your reply I forward your personal information to my husband's Attorney in London who will contact the BANK and introduce you as the legal owner of this fund before transfering the fund into your nominated Bank Account in your country.
You will be issued a letter of authority by him that will empower you as the original- beneficiary of the funds. 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 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 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 herein.
Your response should be channeled to my alternate email account (jwelsh66@yahoo.ie).
Hoping to hear from you as soon as possible.
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Joana Welsh.




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