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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: "Mrs. Linda Jakov" <fourfourten@gmail.com>
Reply-To: davida@i12.com
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:51:06 GMT
Subject: Dear Beloved,

Dear Beloved, Greetings to you in the name of God Almighty . His richest blessings shall be upon you forever! I am Mrs. Linda Jakov. I am 67 years old from Croatia, based in England . I was brought up in a motherless babies home, was married to my late husband, Sir David Jakov for twenty two years without a child before the cold hand of death took him away. I became deaf while suffering from a long time cancer of the Lungs which also affected my brain. From all indication, my condition is really deteriorating each time of the day. Recently, my Doctor told me that I have a limited or numbered days on earth and that my life span will not exceed 150 days due to the cancerous problems I am suffering from, and it is quite obvious that, according to my doctors they have advised me that I will live for the next few months, this is because the cancer has eaten up my lungs. Presently, I'm with my laptop in a hospital where I have been undergoing treatment for this cancer of the lungs, I have since lost my ability to talk. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be with the Almighty when I eventually passed on. The Almighty will fight my case and I shall hold my peace. My husband worked with the British Railways for over two decade, beside that he had his own private business. Before his death we were both devoted Christians as we made a vow to uplift the Down-trodden and the less-privileged individuals. Since his death I decided not to re-marry, I sold all our properties and deposited the total sum of $13.8 Million,(Thirteen Million eight hundred thousand US Dollars with a financial institution here in England) when I discovered that with this ailment, I am no longer on the safe side to continue with this charity work which I and my late husband both started hence I asked God for a direction that would enable me get someone who has the interest of God at heart to continue where I and my late husband had stopped. Presently, this money is still with the financial institution. My wishes are that, the money should be invested in any organization of your choice and distribute the funds each year among the charity organizations, widows, widowers and the poor. I want you as a God fearing person, to also use this money to fund churches/orphanage homes. I do not need any telephone communication since I have already lost the ability to talk due to my deteriorating health, moreover, because of the presence of my husband relatives around me. I do not want them to know about this development. I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money to continue with this charity work as my late husband relatives are very wealthy individuals, and I do not want my husband hard earned money to be misused or invested into ill perceived ventures. I do not want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner, hence the reason for taking this bold decision trusting on God’s directions. With God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of my attorney whom I have entrusted every detail regarding this funds. As Soon as your informations has been received by my attorney, he will issue power of attorney and Letter of Authority on this regards, making you the original beneficiary of this fund with other related documents, to make it possible for you to embark onto this project. I took this decision, knowing my time will soon be up. I will advice you to be sincere with my attorney, to enable him work out the entire vital document in your favour, and always be prayerful all through your life. God bless you and hope to hear from you soonest. Yours truly, Mrs. Linda Jakov. davida@i12.com

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