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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: "MRS. STELLA GALLAS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.stellagallas2000@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 17:07:59 +0200
Subject: PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME WORK FOR GOD.?

Dearest one in the Lord.
 
It is my pleasure to write to you after considering your profile, My
name is STELLA GALLAS a nationality of Kuwait. I am married to
MR.MARTINS GALLAS who worked with Kuwait company in LONDON for nine
years before he died in the year 2006. 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 we deposited the sum of
$8.3Million(Eight Million three hundred thousand U.S. Dollars) with a
BANK here in LONDON Presently, this money is still with the CITIBANK
LONDON here. Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the
next three months due to cancer problem.
 
Though what disturbs me most is my stroke. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund
to church or better still a Christian individual that will utilize
this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want a church that
will use this fund to;churches,orphanages, Research centers and widows
propagating to the word of God and to ensure that the house of God is
maintained.
 
The Bible made us to understand that Blessed is the hand that giveth.
I took this bold decision because I don't have any child that will
inherit this money and my husband’s relatives are not Christians and I
don't want my family hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers. I
don't 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 hence I know where I am going to. 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. With God all
things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you
the contact of the BANK. I will also issue you a letter of authority
that will empower you as the new beneficiary of this fund. I want you
and the church to always pray for me because the lord is my Shepherd.
My happiness is that I lived 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. Any delay in
your reply will give me room in sourcing for a church or Christian
individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act
accordingly as I stated here in.
 
Hoping to hearing from you soon.
 
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
 
Yours-in-Christ,
MRS. STELLA GALLAS

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