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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. Victoria Getty." <info@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mrs--victoriagetty12@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:27:48 -0600 (CST)
Subject:




This massage will come to you as a surprise and the temptation to delete
it because we have not met. However, I believe you knew my late husband
(Sir John Paul Getty) because I got your contact from his folder. My late
husband was into private business/practice (oil and gas dealer) before he
died of heart related disease. Our life together as husband and wife
lasted for 10yrs. Before his death, we vowed to start a Charity Project to
uplift the downtrodden and the less-privileged/motherless children, as he
had passion for them. I can adduce this to the fact that he needed a child
from me, but God knows why it never came till his death. Before his death,
he deposited some money with a private gold security company in Ghana with
the good heart of using it for the Charity Project in Africa and Asia.
Till now the money is still with the gold security company in Ghana.

I have been under medical supervision of Professor Roger Kirby at The
Cancer Centre 32 Wimpole St London W1G 8GT since 2007. After series of
medical test on me last week, my Doctor told me that they have tried their
best as i have only God to look up to for a miracle. This is due to this
ailment which has affected my body system. I want you as a God fearing and
trustworthy person to utilize this money to assist the upkeep of widows,
orphans, and physically challenged children, as it has been the wish of my
late husband. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact
of the security company and the lawyer who prepared the documents for the
deposit so he will assist you apply for the release of the gold/funds
after introducing you legally to the security company. If you will be able
to do this work of humanity, please do send me an email with my private
email (
mrs--victoriagetty12@hotmail.com)
I await your urgent reply.

Thank and God bless you

Mrs. Victoria Getty.

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