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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: Grace Harmon <harmong2001@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jharmon@yahoo.cn
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:57:07 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Praise The Lord's Glorious Name




My beloved,                 Endeavor to use the Fund as i stated herein!!! With Due Respect And Humility, I was compelled to write you under a humanitarian ground. My name is Mrs, Grace Harmon, I am 68yrs old,From Kuwait,I am married to late Mr.Jason Harmon who until his death was The chairman/CEO of k:E global industries and a philanthropist based in Cote d'I voire. We were married for 38 years without a child. And Recently, I was diagonize of cancer problem (cancer of the liver). When my husband was alive,He deposited the sum Of $2.5 million with a financial firm here in Cote d'Ivoire for safe keeping.Presently this money is still in the Vault of the firm.Having known my condition I decided to to donate this money to any good spirited individual,charity organization,christian or Muslim that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want that you use this money according to the desire of my late husband to help
the Less privileged,needles and the orphanages,building churches,maintaining house of God,building orphanages,schools and building care homes. I took this decision because I have no offspring and seeing the sufferings of people around,i decided to donate it, And I do not want in away where this money will be used in an ungodly way. This is why I am taking this decision to hand you over this money.Though i don't know you nor met you before but i believe that the Almighty will work through you in accomplishing his will.I want you to always remember me in your daily prayers because of my up coming Cancer Surgery. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I have Stated herein. Expecting to receive your re-assuring reply.
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Your's Sister In Christ, Mrs.Grace Harmon

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