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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: "Rebecca Edwards" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <team.desk@cantv.net>
Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2012 05:56:46 -0600
Subject: Greetings Beloved Brethren!!

Greetings Beloved Brethren

My dear,your first reaction to this mail will be total rejection, scare and may be unbelief, owing largely to the atrocities people committed these days through internet but this mail comes from a devastated, sorrowful and emotional ladened soul that needs compassion from a kind and good spirited person to wipe away my tears, perhaps when I am gone beyond this sinful world. I am Mrs Rebecca Edwards from Ghana West Africa, married to Late Engr.Gilbert Edwards now late who worked with Organization Of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) in Libya for twenty two (22) years.My husband was killed during the recent war in Libya in the year 2011.We was happily married for eleven years without a child.I am soliciting for your help based on my health situation which has been passing through before his death.I am not suppose to reveal much about myself to you,but due to the psychological truama i am passing through,i feel you might be a good helper in order for me to rest in peace.

When my husband was alive he made a bulk deposit of (Five Million Five hundred thousand U.S.Dollars) with one well know bank in Europe and i do not want this sum to remain with the bank for some good reasons.I am sending you this message because i need a serious minded person or an organization that will use this fund for orphanages, widows and less privileged in the society propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is maintained.The Bible made us to understand that Blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this decision because i have couple of months to life according to my physician due to Ovarian Cancer and diabetics also don't have any child or any biological relative that will inherit this money also my husband relatives are not Christians and I don't want my husbands fortune to be wasted ungodly.

In the holy scripture mathew 5 vs 3 says blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;mathew 5 vs 7 says blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy;mathew 5 vs 8 blessed are the poor in heart for they shall see God Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace,please note most importantly that my zeal to carry out this act knowing fully well the dilemma i am in is built around luke 18 vs 18-22, which read's in part in vs 22:Sell all that thou hast,and ditribute into the poor,and thou shall have treasure in heaven.

My health has deteriorated faster than expected and I may die any moment from the above sickness. All I want is a God fearing person that will use the fund for the said purpose, to fund churches, orphanages and widows. I am willing to let go 30% for the total sum and I place no conditions on your management except that it is use for the said purpose.Please,do not reply this mail if your heart or conscience does not accept this divine revelation.

I expect to read from you very soon and may God Almighty guide us as you honor this project in his name.Upon acceptance, I shall send you a detailed Information on how this business would be successfully transacted. At this point I want to assure you that your true consent, full co-operation and confidentiality are all that are required for us to take full advantage of this project

Thanks and God bless you.
Rebecca Edwards

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