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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: "Lady Joan Presley" <joanpresley@live.com>
Reply-To: joanpresley@live.co.uk
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 15:06:02 +0530 (IST)
Subject: RE

Here writes Lady Joan Presley, suffering from cancerous ailment. I
am married to Engineer Alex Presley an Englishman who is dead. My
husband was into private practice all his life before his death. Our life
together as man and wife lasted for three decades without child. My
husband died after a protracted illness. My husband and I made a vow
to uplift the down-trodden and the less-privileged individuals as he had
passion for persons who can not help themselves due to physical
disability or financial predicament. I can adduce this to the fact that he
needed a Child from this relationship, which never came. When my late
husband was alive he deposited the sum of 4.8 Million Great Britain
Pounds Sterling which were derived from his vast estates and
investment in capital market with his bank here in UK. Presently, this
money is still with the Bank. Recently, my Doctor told me that I have
limited days to live due to the cancerous problems I am suffering from.
Though what bothers me most is the stroke that I have in addition to the
cancer. With this hard reality that has befallen my family, and me I
have decided to donate this fund to you and want you to use this gift
which comes from my husbands effort to fund the upkeep of widows,
widowers, orphans, destitute, the down- trodden, physically challenged
children, barren-women and persons who prove to be genuinely
handicapped financially.

It is often said that blessed is the hand that gives. I took this decision
because I do not have any child that will inherit this money and my
husband relatives are bourgeois and very wealthy persons and I do not
want my husbands 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. 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 pass on.
The Almighty will fight my case and I shall hold my peace. I do not need
any telephone communication in this regard due to my deteriorating
health and because of the presence of my husbands relatives around
me. I do not 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 UK. I will also issue you a Letter of Authority that
will empower you as the original beneficiary of this fund. My happiness
is that I lived a life worthy of emulation. Please always be prayerful all
through your life. Please assure me that you will act just as I have
stated herein. Hope to hear from you soon and God bless you and
members of your family.
You can contact me through my private email address:
joanpresley@live.co.uk
Sincerely,
Lady Joan Presley


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