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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: "rosemary thomas" <rosemarythomas73@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: rosemary.thomas70@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:33:39 -0400
Subject: ATTENTION: Please treat very urgently.

My Dearest,

With warm hearts I offer my friendship, and my greetings, and I hope this
letter meets you in good time. It will be surprising for you to receive this
proposal from me since you do not know me personally. However, I am sincerely
seeking your confidence in this transaction, which I propose with my free mind
and as a person of integrity from God. My name is Mrs. Rosemary Thomas from
Malaysia. I was married to Dr James Thomas who worked with the Malaysian
embassy in South Africa for nine years, before he died in 2002.

We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief
illness that lasted for four days. Before his death we were both born again
Christians. Since his death, I decided not to remarry or get a child outside
my matrimonial home which the Bible speaks against. When my husband was alive
he deposited the sum of $22million US Dollars [twenty two million United
States Dollars] with a finance company in Europe. Presently, this money is
still with the security company in Europe. Recently, my doctor told me that it
will take the Grace of GOD for me to live one more year due to cancer of the
breast which I currently suffer.

Though what disturbs me most is my breast cancer. Having known my condition I
decided to donate this fund to church or to a christain individual that will
use this to fund churches, orphanages, widows and also propagating the word of
God and to ensure that the house of God is maintained.Please endeavour to use
it for the children of God.

The Bible makes us to understand that “blessed are the hands that giveth”. I
took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this
money and my husband's relatives are not christains and I do not want my
husband's hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers. I also do not want a
situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner. Hence, the
reason for taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of death and I know
where am going to.

I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14vs14 says that
“the Lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace”. I can only
communication with you via email because of my health. I cannot always call
you because of my health and my in-laws around me but I will always try if the
chance permits me. I do not want them to know about these developments.

Although, I can do all things through Christ that empowers me. As soon as I
receive your reply, I shall give you the contact of the security Company in
Europe. I will also fax to you all the deposit documents and a letter of
authority that will empower you as the original beneficiary of this fund. I
want you and the church to always pray for me.

My happiness is that I live a life of a worthy Christian, whoever that wants
to serve the Lord must serve Him in spirit and truth. Please always be
prayerful all through your life.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Best regards,

Mrs Rosemary Thomas.

Kindly reply me through this email address: rosemary.thomas70@yahoo.com


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