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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: <mrscharlottesonya1@myguide.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:29:06 -0700
Subject: Donation From Mrs. Charlotte Sonya.


Donation From Mrs. Charlotte Sonya.
Avenue Avenue 20/22 Hospital Route,
Cotonou Benin Republic. E-mail/ (
mrscharlottesonya2008@yahoo.co.jp [1] ) Dear beloved child of the
most high God, May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God
and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you as you read this
message, it is obvious, that this message will meet you with great
surprise. I am Mrs. Charlotte Sonya from the Republic of Russia. I
am married to Engr. Raymond Sonya who was the Chief Executive Director
of an Oil and Gas producing Company here in Benin Republic for eleven
years before he died on the 27Th of November 2005. We were married
for eleven years with-out a child, He died after a brief illness that
lasted for only four days, Before his sudden death we were both born
again Christian, Since his death I decided not to remarry or get a
child outside my matrimonial. When my late husband was alive he
deposited the sum of $3.7Million (three Million Seven
Hundred Thousand
United State dollars) In one Finance Security Company here in Benin
Republic and advised me that he used my name as the next of kin and
that the security company officials does not know the real content of
the trunk box because he camouflage it as (FAMILY VALUABLES AND
TREASURES) For security purpose, and it is still with the Security
Company up till now. Recently, my Doctor told me that i have
serious sickness which is cancer problem, the one that disturbs me
most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition now, I
have decided to donate this fund to a church or individual that will
utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want
a church or individual that will use this fund for the helping of the
orphanages, widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavor that
the house of God is maintained, For i know that my sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall
be revealed in me in the
kingdom of God according to the book of
[Romans 8:18]. Therefore i am giving out this donation in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is written that i should give, and it
will be given to me, Blessed is the hand that giveth, I took this
decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money
and I don't want my husband's efforts to be in vain, I don't want a
situation where this money will be used in an ungodly way.
Please, let my donation be in secret between you and i,as it is
written in the book of [ Matthew 6:3 - 4] That when you do a
charitable deed, do not let your left hand to know what your right
hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret and your
father who sees in secret will himself reward you openly. I am not
afraid of death since I know where I am going, I know that I am going
to be in the bosom of the Lord because the Lord has been my strenght
and hope As soon as I receive your reply in acceptance of my donation,
I shall give
you the contact of the security company here in Benin
Republic, I want you and the church to always pray for me. 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 life,and also remember me in
prayers. May Almighty God make you an eternal excellency and a joy
of many generations....Amen. Hoping to receive your urgent reply
through this alternative box as below (
mrscharlottesonya2008@yahoo.co.jp [1] ) Remain blessed in the
Lord.
Yours Sincerely in Christ. Mrs. Charlotte Sonya.

Links:
------
[1]
http://ca.mc333.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?fid aft&amp;mid404821_AHjOjkQAAYY%2BSMp%2FsAvdRy2qugs&amp;draftamp;ucamp;.rand!38689550&amp;da

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