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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: Mary Sneller <marysnellerxx@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2007 01:49:49 +0100
Subject: Dear my beloved.....



From Me :Mary Sneller

Dear Carleen Jones,
Please read this slowly and carefully, as it may be one of the mostimportant emails you ever get. I am Mrs Mary sneller, I wasmarried to Late Mr. peter sneller. He used to work with Shell PetroleumDevelopment Company London and was also a seasoned contractor in theWest African Region.He died on Monday,31 July, 2003 in Paris.
We were married for seven years without a child. After his death Idecided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home.
When my late husband was alive, he deposited the sum of GBP 5.2 Millionin a bank in London, which is now wasting and languishing there. MyDoctor told me that I would not last long due to my complicated healthissues, I have cancer.
Having known my condition I decided to donate this funds to better the lives of the less privileged. I need an honest and trust worthy individual that will utilize this money in accordance with my instruction. I want the funds to be used in funding religious organizations, orphanages and less privileged propagating the word of God. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband's relatives are very unkind to me and I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused. 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. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my course and I shall hold my peace. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank,and my Attorney in London. For legitimacy, he will also issue you a letter of authorization that will empower you as the original-beneficiary of this fund.
I want you to always pray for me, Any delay in your reply willgive me room in sourcing for another individual for this samepurpose. If you are not interested,kindly pardon me for contacting you.
You can reach me with my alternate emailaddress(marysneller1@yahoo.com)
Thanks,
Yours sincerely,MRS MARY SNELLER.
_________________________________________________________________
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