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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: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:31:19 +0000
Subject: From Sister Mary Williams


ATTN:Greetings

Dearest in Christ,
PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USE IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
I am Mrs Mary Williams from kuwait. I am married to Dr.Henry who worked with
Kuwait embassy in cote d'ivoire 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 Christians.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 2.5Million U.S.
Dollars) with one BANK in cote d'ivoire.Presently, this money is still with
the BANK.Recently, my Doctor told me that I would notlast for the next three
months due to cancer problem.Though what disturbs me most is my stroke
Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to church or better
still a christian individual that will utilize this money the way I am going
to instruct here in.

I want a church that will use this to fund churches, orphanages and widows
propagating the word of God and to ensure that the house of God is
maintained. The Bible made us to understand that Blessed is the hand that
giveth. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will
inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I don't
want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers.
I don't 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
hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bossom of
the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my case and I shall
hold my peace.

I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my
health,because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I
don't want them to know about this development. With God all things are
possible.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the BANK in
ivory coast.I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower
you as the original- beneficiary of this fund. I want you and the church to
always pray for me because the lord is my shephard. My happiness is that I
lived alife 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 any delay in your reply will give me room in searching for a church
or christian individual for this same purpose.Please assure me that you will
act accordingly as I stated herein. Hoping to hearing from you. Remain
blessed in the name of the Lord.


Yours in Christ.
Mrs Mary WIlliams.

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