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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: stella castillo <stella@stellacastillo.orangehome.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2006 16:58:17 +0100 (CET)
Subject: compliments


Dear Beloved,
Please forgive my indignation because this mail may come to you as a
surprise. I got your contact from a database found in internet while
searching for a
reliable, honest and God fearing person that will assist us receive a
fund
into an account. I was divinely inspired to pick your name among others
found
in the Internet database after series of prayers for Gods direction.
I am Mrs. Stella Castillo Taborda a citizen of Colombia currrently
based and
under intensive medical treatment in London, United Kingdom. I am
married to
Dr. Castillo Taborda who worked with the Malaysia Embassy in South
Africa
for nine years before he died in the year 2000. Unfortunately our union
give us
an only child who died some years back. When my late husband was alive
he
deposited the sum of $2.3 Million (Two Million Three Hundred Thousand
U.S.Dollars) with a Security/finance company in EUROPE. Presently, this
money is
still with the Security/finance Company.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not live after the next three
months due to my cancer problem. Though what disturbs me most is my
disability to
move around as a result of partial paralysis. Having known my condition
I
decided to donate part of this fund to a church or a mosque or better
still a
Christian or a Moslem individual that will utilize this money for
charity
works. I wish a church or Mosque or the individual beneficiary that
will inherit
this to use it for churches or Mosque orphanages and widows propagating
the
word of God and to ensure that the house of God is beautified. The word
of God
said blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this decision because I
don't
want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers. I do
not want
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 because
I know
where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of my
Savior.
If you feel you are worthy enough to make yourself available in this
project, let me know immediately you read my mail.
GOD will surely give you the grace to accomplish this great task. All
things
work together for good for those who love GOD.
I will give you the contacts of my lawyer here in London who will be
handling the bulk of the transaction. I do not need personal telephone
conversation
in this regard because of my health and the presence of my husband,s
relatives who are already scrambling for their late siblings wealth. I
do not want
them to know about this development.
On your response my lawyer will speak with you and send you the
contacts of
the company and all relevant documents pertaining to this deposit to
enable
you travel and make this claim.
Send your phone contacts and address to enable my lawyer get across to
you.
For cofidenciality contact me with this email address mrscastillo@myway.com
Thank you and God bless.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Stella Castillo

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