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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: "Mrs. Benedict Tom Festus" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.benedicttomfestus@live.com>
Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 20:16:23 +0200
Subject: Greetings to you dear beloved one

Greetings to you dear beloved one
I am Mrs. Benedict Tom Festus from United States of America presently in Netherlands where am receiving treatment. I am married to Dr. Tom a Festus South African citizen, who worked with South African embassy in Nigeria for seven years before he died in the year 2009 in Nigeria.
We were married for four years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only few days.
Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home, which the Holy book is against.
When my late husband was alive, he deposited the sum of US$3Million (Three Million U.S. Dollars) with a bank. Presently, this money is still under the safe keeping of the bank.
Recently, my doctor told me that I wouldn't last for the next two months due to my cancer problems. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke. Haven known my condition, I decided to donate this fund to an organization or better still a God fearing individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein.
I want a fellow that will use this fund on orphanages, charity homes, and helping those affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami that hits Japan on March 11 2011. The holy book 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 fund and I don't want to lose my husband hard earn money to the bank in Nigeria because if I die without anybody claiming this fund, automatically, the fund will remain with Nigerian governments and might be used in an ungodly manner and I don't 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 blossom of god, the holy book says that "the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace"
As soon as I receive your prompt mail, I will direct you to my late husband's lawyer in Nigeria so that he will start processing and help you get my fund transferred to you in your country so that you can start with the good of to god and humanity.
Whoever that wants to serve the lord must serve him in spirit and truth. Lastly, always be prayerful all through your life and I need you to assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated here in.
Yours in christ
Mrs. Benedict Tom Festus

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