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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: "FROM MRS. JOY WILFORD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wilfordmrs.joy58@yahoo.es>
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:56:54 +0100
Subject: PLEASE ENDEAVOR TO USE IT ON CHURCHES AND ORPHANAGES

FROM MRS. JOY WILFORD OF NETHERLANDS
PLEASE ENDEAVOR TO USE IT ON CHURCHES AND ORPHANAGES
 
 
Dear In The Lord,
 
 
I am the above named person from Netherlands .I am married to Dr.Franklyn Wilford, who worked with Netherlands Embassy in the UK for nine years before his death on December 2009.We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death, we were both born again Christians. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of GBP25.6 Million Great British Pounds Sterlings with a Bank in London Uk.
 
 
Presently, this money is still with the bank there in UK. And the management just wrote me as the beneficiary to step forward  for claims of my late husband  FUND, or rather issue a letter of authorization to somebody  to receive it on my behalf since I cannot come to Uk, due to my illness here in Malaga Spain, And again, I'm with my laptop in a hospital where I have  been undergoing  treatment for cancer which had indicated to my Doctor that I would not last for the next four months according to his statement.
 
 
It is my last wish to see this money distributed to charity organizations, churches because our relatives have plundered so much of our wealth since my husband's death and my illness too.  I cannot live with the agony of entrusting this huge responsibility to any of them. Please, I beg you in the name of God to help me and utilize the above mentioned funds and its interest and distribute it accordingly.
 
 
Having knowns my Condition I decided to donate this fund to church or a Christian individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here. I want a person that has God fearing in him/her. Someone that will use this money on churches, or orphanages etc propagating the word of God and to ensure that the house of God is maintained. Because my Bible made me to understand that blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this decision because I don’t have any child that will inherit this money. My husband relatives are not Christians and I Don't want this hard earned money to be misused by Unbelievers. I don't want a Situation where this money will be used in an ungodly Manner.
 
 
My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. So 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 Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that; the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace. Whoever that wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and truth. Please always be prayerful all through your life.
 
 
As soon As I receive your reply I shall introduce you to our family attorney to introduce you to the bank where the Fund is being deposited by my late Husband. I will Also issue you a letter of authorization that will empower You as the rightful  beneficiary  next of kim to my late husband, I want you and the church to always pray for me because the lord is my Shepherd
 
 
Please I don’t need any telephone Communication in this regard because of my health and the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I don’t want them to know about this Development. Any delay in your Reply will give me room in searching for a church or Christian individual for this same purpose so your urgent response is needed immediately.
 
 
Kindly you reply direct to my private email for further details
 
 
Yours Sister in the Lord,
Mrs. Joy Wilford 

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