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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: "Mrs. Ella Charlie Luis Randy" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ellalrandy@sify.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 03:31:53 -0800
Subject: Hello

Dear Friend;

It is indeed my pleasure to write you this letter, which I believe will be a surprise to you as we have never met before, and I am deeply sorry if I have in any manner disturbed your privacy. Please forgive this unusual manner of contacting you, but this particular message is of exceptional. There is absolutely going to be a great doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this email because i know that this might sound strange to you and coupled with the fact that, so many individuals have taken possession of the Internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate persons to get attention and recognition.

My name is Mrs. Ella Charlie Luis Randy, I am married to Engineer Charlie Luis Randy a Spanish who is dead; I am a dying woman who had decided to donate what I have to the Charities. I am 69 years old and was diagnosed for cancer about two years ago, immediately after the death of my husband. I have been touched by God to donate from what I have inherited from my late husband for the good work of God, rather than allow his relatives to use my husband's hard earned funds ungodly.

My husband was into private business all his life before his death. We live our life together as man and wife lasted for three decades without child. He deposited the sum of US$15.5M (Fifteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) with GarantiBank International Netherlands, which I inherited from my late husband, Recently, the bank management just wrote me as the beneficiary that our account has been DORMANT and if I can not ACTIVATE the ACCOUNT, the funds will be CONFISCATED. My doctor told me that I have limited days to live due to the cancer problems I am suffering from. So now I decided to divide the part of this wealth, to contribute to the development of churches in America, Asia, Europe and also in Africa, and also the less privileged and orphanage Home. I prayed over it and God has directed me to you and i want you to use this fund to work for God as the spirit of God directed me.

However, 70% of this money should be contribute to the less privileged and orphanage Home, development of church, and the remaining 30% should be for you. As soon as i hear from you my family lawyer will start processing all the necessary documentation in your name as the next of kin beneficiary to enable the GarantiBank International Netherlands, release the funds to you to carryout my last wish. And please note that you are not required to pay any fee or charge to the lawyer for whatsoever reason, because i have already given him enough money to take care of his family and handle every of my family project.

Lastly, I honestly pray that when you receive this money you will use it for the said purpose, because I have come to find out that wealth acquisition without Christ is vanity. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus the love of God and the fellowship of God is with you and your family.

Kindly get back to me with your complete information if you are willing to carry out this obligation. Telephone and fax numbers, mobile phone number, your occupation, your age, your home/office address

I await your urgent reply.

Best regards,

Mrs. Ella Randy;

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