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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: TOYO SAMPO <toyo.sampo2@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: toyo30sampo@hotmail.fr
Date: Sun, 6 Jun 2010 09:23:55 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Donation from Mrs Toyo Sampo





Dear in Christ Jesus,
I am the above named person from Gambia. I am married to Mr.Sam Sampo, who worked with Gambia embassy in Ivory Coast for 15 years as a driver; it happened that he was among death in Contonou, Benin (West Africa) in November 2003 in plane crash. We were married for twenty-five years without a child. Before his death, we were both born again Christian. Before his death, I was not orderly ok because my Doctor told me that I would not last due to cancer problem I am having, the one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness.
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of ($5mUs Dollars) with a security company in Europe. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here. I want a church that will use this fund for orphanages children, widows, maintain the house of God. The Bible made us to understand that “Blessed is the hand that gives.
I took this decision because I don’t have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I don’t want my husband’s efforts to be used by unbelievers. I don’t want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly way. This is why I’m taking this decision. 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. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that “the Lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace”. With God all things are possible.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Security Company. I will also issue you an authority letter that will prove you the present beneficiary of these funds. I want you and the church to be always pray for me because the Lord is my shepherd. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and truth.
Please always be prayerful all through your life.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated here. Contact me through my private e-mail address; toyo30sampo@hotmail.fr
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs.Toyo Sampo.

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