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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: "Mr. Lionel Washington" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <washlionel@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2011 04:19:42 -0700
Subject: Greetings From United Kingdom

Dear Beloved in Christ,
It is by the grace of God that I received Christ, knowing the truth and the truth have set me free.Having known the truth,
I had no choice than to do what is lawful and right in the sight of God for eternal life and in the sight of man for witness of God?s mercy and glory upon my life. I have the pleasure to share my testimony with you,having seen yourcontact from the Internet.I am Barr Lionel Washington, residing in united kingdom the legal adviser to late Mr.and Mrs. BrightWilliams,a British couple that lived in United Kingdom for 25 years before they both died in a plane crash late last year.
These couples were good Christians, they where so dedicated to God but they had no child till they died.Throughout their stay in my country,they acquired a lot of properties like lands, house operties, etc.As their legal adviser, before their death, the husband Mr.Bright Williams instructed me to write his WILL.Because they had no child, they dedicated their wealth to God.According to the WILL, the properties have to be sold and the money be given out to aministry for the work of God. After he sold the wole properties he realized the sum of US$11.8M and deposited it in an offshore account, Therefore the total amount realized to be invested into God's work as instructed by the owner, is US$11.8 MILLION only. But Instead of giving the fund out for the work of God as instructed to me by the owner before his death.I converted the fund to myself with the intention of investing the fund abroad for my personal use.
I had encounter with Christ when Pastor Benny Hinn was preaching on television concerning Ananias and Saphira in Acts 5:1-11. After hearing the word of God, I gave my life to Christ and became a born again Christian.As a born again Christian, I have asked God for forgiveness and I know that God have forgiven me. But I have to do what is lawful and right in the sight of God by giving out the fund to the chosen ministry/individual for the purpose of God's work as instructed by the owner before his death.I then came across your address on theInternet as I was browsing through a Christian site, and as a matter of fact, it is not only you or your ministry that I picked on the Christian site initially, but after my fervent prayer over it, you were nominated to me through divine revelation from God, this is are how I received such a divine revelation from the Lord, how I got your contact information, and I then decided to contact you for the fund to be used wisely for things that ! will glorify the name of God. I ha
If you know that you will use this fund honestly and wisely for things that will glorify God's name. You should also forward to me your (1) full name (2) home address (3) occupation (4) direct email address(5) telephone/fax numbers for easy communication and to prepare the vital documnets in your name as the soul beneficiary of the funds.Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.
Note please reply to my private e-mail address:
Yours in Christ:
Barr.Lionel Washington
United Kindom

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