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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: DicksonHelen <mrshdickson@yp.com.hk>
Reply-To: dmrshelen53@yahoo.pl
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:26:39 +0000
Subject: Hello My beloved one Am your Sister,



Hello My beloved one Am your Sister,

It is with tears that I am writing this message to you from a hospital
bed,
 
I am Mrs. Helen Dickson. A widow to late  Dr. David Dickson, who
worked with Elf Petroleum Company in France for nine years before he
died in the year 2002. 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 Christian. 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 $18.5 Million with a Bank in Benin Republic
Presently this money is still in the custody of the Bank in Benin .
 
Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Eight
months due to cancer problem, but I know that my doctor is not God.
Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a Church,
Organization or goodperson that will utilize this money the way I am
going to instruct herein.
 
I want a Church, Organization or good person that will use this fund
for Orphanages, Widows and other peoples that need help and also
propagating the word of God and to endeavors that the house of God is
maintained.
 
The Bible made us to understand that "Blessed is the hand that gives "
I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit
this money and my husband relatives are not Christians not even good
at all because they are the one that are responsible for the death of
my husband in other to have all my late husband properties and I don't
want my husband's effort to be used by those that conspired for his
death or for ungodly things.
 
This is why I am taking this decision, I am not afraid of death hence
I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosoms of
the Lord. Exodus 14 Vs 14 says that "the Lord will fight mycase and I
shall hold my peace".
 
I don’t need any telephone communication in this regard because of
my health hence the presences of my husband’s relatives are around
me always. I don't want them to know about this development and I know
that with God all things are possible to those who trust in Him and to
those who work by faith. As soon as I received your reply I shall give
you the contact of the Bank in Benin .
 
I will also issue a letter of authorization to the bank that will
prove you the present beneficiary of this money. I also want you,
Church or Organization to always pray for me because the Lord is my
only Shephard.
 
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 through your life.
 
Contact me on this email address and any delay in your reply will give
me room in sourcing another good person, church ororganization for
this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I
stated herein. Hoping to receive your response immediately,

Thanks and Remain blessed in the Lord.
I remain yours sister in Christ.
Mrs Helen Dickson.
EMAIL (dmrshelen53@yahoo.pl)
  
May God bless you.
Waiting urgently for your reply.
Bye.
 

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