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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: "Angela Hoffman" <angelahoffman322@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:39:51 -0100
Subject: Dear Servant of God ,


Dear Servant of God ,


Am Mrs Angela Hoffman writing from my sick bed married to Mr.Stephen
Hoffman who is an Oil Consultant/Contractor with the Santiago island
National Petroleum Corporation Cape Verde for ten years before he died in
the year 2003,We were married for ten years without a child. He died after a
brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both
born again Christian and we worship in Glorious chapel of God Opened by an
Australian Missionary Rev Healy. Since after death of my husband I decided
not get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When
my late husband was alive he deposited the box in the security company which
contained family valuables and sum of (5.5 million Euros) presently, the box
is still with the security company here in Cape Verde Island. Recently, my
Doctor told me that I have serious sickness which is cancer problem. Having
known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church I want your
church to use this fund for orphanages widows and war vicitims around
Pakistan, propagating the word of God and to Endeavour that the house of God
is maintained, The Bible made us to understand that blessed is the hand that
give. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit
this money and my husband relatives are not Christians, I don't want a
situation where this money will be used in an ungodly way, This is why I am
taking this decision, I shall hold my peace I don't need any telephone
communication in this regard because of my health hence the presence of my
husband relatives around me always, I don't 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 Security
Company for the claim of the box and its content. No one is aware of the
contents as money; it was deposited as confidential family valuables. For
security reasons. I want you and the church to always pray for me because
the lord is my Shepherd. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy
Christian and whoever that wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit
and Truth. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated
herein. Hoping to receive your reply and please always put me in prayer so
that our good God will heal me from my sickness. May the Lord grant you more
wisdom as you work in his vine yard? Amen. I pray the Palms 127 may see all
through with this project if you accept to take the work.

Remain blessed in the Lord.
Yours sister in Christ,
Mrs. Angela Hoffman






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