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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: "Rose A. Culley" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <roseculley.mrs@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2010 01:24:26 +0100
Subject: Re: Response

MY BELOVED,

Please read this slowly and carefully, as it may be one of the most important emails you will ever get.
I am Mrs. Rose Culley from Greece. When my late husband was alive, he deposited a fixed sum of £6.3 Million pounds in a security volt, which is now dormant.

My Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to cancer problem. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to better the lives of the less privileged. I need honest and trust worthy individual that will utilize this money in accordance with my instruction.

I want the funds to be used in funding religious organizations, orphanages and less privileged propagating the word of God. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are very unkind to me and I don't want my husbands hard earned money to be misused. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank, and my Attorney in London. For legitimacy, he will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the new-beneficiary of this fund. I want you to always pray for me, any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for another individual for this same purpose. Please write to my private email roseculley.mrs@gmail.com.

Thanks,
Yours sincerely,
Rose A. Culley

Anti-fraud resources: