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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: julien kowan <julien9kw@msn.com>
Reply-To: <julen_kown2@yahoo.cn>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:12:05 +0000
Subject: Greetings.



Greetings.

Greetings to you and your family in the name of God,in my
search for a reliable and God fearing person and having gotten your contact
through prayers and pains taking efforts via searching I made on the internet on
my bed side. Presently, I'm in a hospital where I have been undergoing treatment
for Oesophagi Cancer.

Though its a sad and long story but I will cut it
short for your quick and easy understanding. I am Julien Kowan(Mrs), widow to
Late Mr.Iwuagwu Kowan, former Defence attachee to Greece Embassy in Cote
D'Ivoire. My husband was murdered alonside our only son Elvis by those who are
envious of his position in the same office.

Before his death he made a
vow to use his wealth ($3.5m) for the down trodden,orphanages and the less
privileged in the society. Having known my condition I decided to donate this
fund to an individual or better still a God fearing person who will utilize this
money the way I am going to instruct here in. I want an individual that will use
this fund and provide succor to poor and indigent persons, orphanages, and
widows and for the propagating peace.

I took this decision because I do
not have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not
inclined to helping poor persons and I do not want my husband's hard earned
money to be misused or spent in the manner in which my late husband did not
specify. I do not want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly
manner.

What is required of you is your honesty, trust and sincerity. Any
delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for another individual for
this same purpose.
May God Almighty bless you.

Your Sister in Christ
Jesus,
Mrs Julien Kowan

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