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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: "james mahathia" <deaconjames_mahathia@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 03 Apr 2007 22:03:26 +0000
Subject: Blessings!


Dear In Christ,

The time has come for Christians to worship God in spirit and in truth
according to the book of John chapter 4:vs23-24.``But the hour cometh
and now is when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit
and in
truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him . God is a spirit,
and
they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Based on
this scripture, it became obvious that I should do the right thing if I
must enter into the kingdom of God.
I am , Deacon James Mahathia the legal adviser to late Mr. Mike & Carol
Hall, a God fearing and dedicated couple. They were very wealthy but
had
no child. They travelled to Patong-Thailand for Christmas holiday but
met death on the 26th of December 2004 during the Tsunami
disaster(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/4153821.stm
As their legal adviser, before their death, the husband Mr. Mike Hall
instructed me to write his WILL, because they had no child, he
dedicated
their wealth to God. They had a lot of landed properties houses
Stocks/bonds, etc. According to their instruction.
According to the WILL, their assets should be given out to a ministry
for the work of God. As their legal adviser, all the documents for the
fund that are deposited with the Vault company are in my care. As a
born
again Christian , I have been reading my bible and I have to do what is
lawful and right in the sight of God by giving out the fund to the
chosen ministry for the purpose of God's work as instructed by the
owners before there death.
After my fasting and prayers Today, I asked God to make his choice and
direct me to an honest Christian or the chosen ministry that deserves
this fund by his Grace. I then came across your address on the
Internet.I appeal to you to use the fund wisely for things that will
glorify the name of God.
Also, could you get back to me having visiting the above website to
enable us discuss in a more clarifying manner to the best of your
understanding. I must say that I'm very uncomfortable sending this
message to you without knowing truly if you would misconstrue the
importance and decides to go public. In this regards, I will not hold
back to say that the essence of this message is strictly for Charity.
May God bless you as you make up your mind to work for God.
Thanks.
Elizabeth & Deacon James Mahathia
DeaconJamesMahathia@tangana.com

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