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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Rev. Patrick Joseph <ppatrick130@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 06 Jun 2012 21:17:17 +0700
Subject: PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU

My Dear child,

I am Rev. Patrick Joseph.78 years old, now resident in the
Port-Novo.Formally of the SAINT JUDES CATHOLIC CHURCH .Ever since; I have
been helping the orphans in the orphanages, motherless homes and less
privileged across few African countries.

I have donated some money to orphanages in Sudan, South Africa, Cameroon,
Mozambique and Liberia with the money I inherited from my late father who
was into diamond and crude oil business. But, it is sad to let you know
that I have been going through series of illness from auditory (hearing),
multiple sclerosis and from cancer of the liver.

Before I got ill and went to Monaco, I have some money amounting to
eighteen million two hundred thousand united states dollar (US$18, 200,
000, 00) only with a financial institution. The fund is safe. I have been
using the financial institution for over twenty years now.
I had entrusted some money to a relation of mine to perform this duty, but
unfortunately he misused the funds, so i have decided to look for a
foreigner and a good minded person.

I will be going to the hospital anytime for major operations. Except it
pleases God, the chance of my survival is slim. God has specifically told
me to help the less privileged people with my money. Please I solicit for
your help to receive the money, invest it profitably and use it wisely for
the less privileged people in your country.

If you willing to carry out this soul surviving mission u can get in touch
with me. I will give you instructions on how the funds will be invested
and distributed among the orphanages and less privileged in return. The
Lord has already told me that I would find a trustworthy person who can
carry out this soul surviving transaction.

While I await your response, may God bless you and your family.
Thank you.

Rev. Patrick Joseph.


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