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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: "Amelia Cole" <ameliacole98@att.net>
Reply-To: <ameliacole02@live.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:26:13 +0100
Subject: RE:Fund

From:Mrs. Amelia Cole
Westeinde Ziekenhuis
Netherlands

Beloved Brethren ,

I am Mrs. Amelia Cole now undergoing medical treatment here In Neitherland. I am married to Engr. John Cole. a Geologist who worked with Chevron for over a decade before he died on 4Th May 2006 .We were married for fifteen years without a child.

He died after a brief illness that lasted for two weeks. Before his death as a born again Christian, he made a vow to use his wealth for the down trodden and the less privileged in the society. Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of USD 5.5 Million Halifax Bank London while still working with Chevron.

Presently, this money is still with Halifax Bank London and my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next 55 days maybe less due to cancer problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to an individual or better still a God fearing person with the milk of humanity running in the vain who will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here in. Forgive me for bothering you, I got your mail from the web directory and decided to contact you because I want an individual that will use this to fund and provide succor to the poor and
indigent persons, orphanages, widows and for propagating peace in the universe. I understand that blessed is the hand that giveth.

I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not inclined to helping poor persons and I do not want my husband’s hard earned money to be misused or spent in the manner in which my late husband did not specify. 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 in the bosom of the Almighty. I do not need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health and because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I do not want them to know about this development.

With God I believe all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank here. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the original beneficiary of this fund. I want you to always pray for me. My happiness is that I lived a life worthy of emulation. Whosoever that wants to serve the Almighty must serve him with all his/her heart and mind and always be prayerful all through your life.

I mean no offence but any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for an individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act
according to specification herein. Hoping to hear from you.

All I require is your honest co-operation, a guarantee of your sincerity and capability to enable us concludes this deal. Note however that the sensitive nature of this transaction demands that you have to keep it absolutely confidential. Please accept my apologies, keep my confidence and disregard this letter if you do not appreciate this proposition.

Thank you and May the Almighty God bless you.

Yours sincerely
Mrs. Amelia Cole (Benefactor).

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