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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: Rita Williams <rita_will@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: rita_will001@yahoo.cn
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2011 13:39:39 -0800 (PST)
Subject: From Mrs Rita Williams







DEAREST ONE OF GOD
I
am the above named person from Kuwait . I am married to Mr David Williams, who
worked with Kuwait embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the
year 2004. We were married for eleven 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. Since his death I decided not to remarry or get a
child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When my late
husband was alive he deposited the sum of $2. 5 Million (Two Million Five
Hundred U.S. Dollars) in the bank here in Abidjan in suspense
account.
 
Presently, the fund is still with the bank. Recently, my Doctor
told me that i have serious sickness which is cancer problem. The one that
disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I decided to
donate this fund to a church or individual that will utilize this money the way
I am going to instruct herein. I want a church that will use this fund for
orphanages, widows, 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 giveth. 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 am 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.
 
I don’t need any telephone
communication in this regard because of my health hence the presence of my
husband’s relatives is 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 bank here in Abidjan .I await your soonest
response with your full information, example.
(1}Your full name
------------------
(2}Address  ------------------------
(3}Marital status
------------------
(4}Age  ----------------------------
(5}Nationality 
--------------------
(6)Occupation ----------------------
(7)Sex
-----------------------------
I will use the above information to obtain an
authorization letter that will legally and officially approve you as the new
beneficiary of this fund from the Federal Ministry of Justice Cote D’Ivoire . I
want you and the church to always pray for me because the lord is my shepherd.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein.
Remain
blessed in the Lord
Take care, Yours Sister in Christ
 
Mrs Rita
Williams.



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