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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: Joshua David <bensojhon505@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: jodavide01@walla.com
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:39:54 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Hello, Reply as soon as possible.


Hello,   
 
Please take your time to read this message; although we have never met before, this is no spam. It's a real message sent to you.  I know also that you will be amazed at the level of trust that I am willing to place in a person that I have never seen nor spoken with.  My name is Joshua David, I had a heart operation on the 23-11-2008 and the Doctors have just informed me that I can not live longer; I had a serious bleeding after the operation. I have decided to release the sum of $2.970.000.00 (Two million Nine Hundred and seventy Thousand US DOLLARS) deposited with my Bank; I want you to use these amount to make the world a better place for the poor and less privileged, help the needy and also help your family members. I have no child, no wife, and no family; lost my whole family to a fatal accident in London.
 
I have no other option as my days are short. This is no joke. It's true we don't receive emails like this everyday, today is different so it's time for "REAL CHANGE" I would turn 77 years a day after tomorrow. I took this decision because I was raised in an Orphanage and presently, I'm hospitalized at Benin Saint Luke hospital, where I am undergoing treatment. I was raised in in an Orphanage so my wife too, I don't have any relatives. That¢s why I have decided to contact you so that you can make good use of the money which I willed to you. Everyone around me here is just waiting for me to die, they all want my money and nothing else. I hate evil minded people and that¢s why I want you to now contact my bank manager:
 
Contact name:  David Anthony.
Email address: davidanthony@8u8.com
Office address:  Carre 354 Scoa gbetto, Cotonou Benin Republic.
 
He will direct you on what to do to receive funds immediately; I have passed on my instructions to him so feel free to contact him. Please make sure you contact my bank manager, he is the only one that can respond to you in due time. I wish you the very best in life. Always pray for my soul to rest in perfect peace, I would be a very happy man even in death if you use these funds for Good work to help humanity. I am 77 years old now and was good to everyone...  I would want you to please assure me that you would help me carry on the good work.
 
Joshua David.
NB: Do not fail to contact my bank manager, because I might not be able to respond to your email in due time.



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