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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: Faith Martins <faith_martins@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: faithmartin19@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:34:38 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Donation from Sis. Faith Martin.

Donation from Sis. Faith Martin.
Avenue 7 Rue 14 zone 3
Abidjan Cote D'ivoire
West Africa.

Dear in Christ,
My greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ,
I know it will be amazing to you to receive this message from me. I am Mrs. Faith Martin from Paraguay . I am married to Archdeacon Johnson Martin whom until his death served as an Archdeacon in St Michaels Archdeaconry in Cote d¡¯Ivoire, West Africa f or 30years, an industrialist and international business man before he died early this year. We were married for 22years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for 48 hours .When my late husband was alive, he deposited the sum of (US$2,500 000.00 )Two million five hundred thousand united states dollars under suspense account in one of the famous bank here in Abidjan capital of Cote d¡¯Ivoire for safe keeping.
I have been sick of Heart attack and extreme pulmonary dysfunction for a while as a result of the shock I sustained on hearing the death of my husband. At times, my respiratory rates can be so high and/or work of breathing so great that I am unable to speak in complete sentences. If this occurs, the fewer words per breath, the worse the problem! The major elements of the cardiac exam observation, palpation and, most importantly, auscultation (percussion is omitted). As with all other areas of the physical exam, establishing adequate exposure and a quiet environment are critical. Initially, I should rest supine with the upper body elevated 30 to 45 degrees. Having sustained heavy pains I know a tragedy was impending. I later went into full cardiac arrest. My heart started beating very rapidly and erratically and then it stopped, I was actually clinically dead, but somehow survived of my long stay in the hospital. I was frighten by many of the test
especially when they doctors tried to make my heart fibrillate and stop, as it has done originally. The illness set me for strife to my neighbours and keeps deriding me as they pleased.
Presently, my doctor confirmed that I have serious sickness and my chances or survival is too remote. Doctors still had reservations about my medical prognosis, a hospital statement said. Doctors have also declined to say whether my current state is related to the hypertiasis I have been fighting for more than a decade. Haven known my situation, I decided to give out this fund as a donation to you in your country. I want this fund to be used for Orphanages, helping the widows, organization that is required to use the money to serve children in local region, organizations that do provide surgery for patients needing cleft palate and lip surgeries. Apart of my vision is to build homes for single parents, a domestic violence refuge centre, an academic institution and churches. I am enlightened that I have chosen you to inherit my funds. Thank you for allowing God to touch your heart.
As I said, you might be amazed, simply because God gave me a vision and direction through Ramah revelation to give out this funds to you for use that I had tentatively addressed the very issues that I raise in my message. I had been praying about this for weeks now, because God have given me the vision, by the direction of the Holy Spirit to commit my funds for these purpose. I have no doubt that the kingdom of God will advance and my generosity will bring relief to so many who are in dire need. My happiness is that I have lived a live of a worthy Christian. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. Hoping to receive your reply.
Your sister,
Mrs. Faith Martin.

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