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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: Sister Lizzy Williams <lizzywilliams654@rocketmail.com>
Date: 24 Apr 2013 09:46:22 -0700
Subject: Dearest,


Dearest,

I am Mrs. Lizzy Williams married to Mr. Andrew Williams Jnr. He was the representative to some local Miners for years before he died. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death he we deposited the sum of$1.2 Million (One million, Two Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars) with a Trust Company, contained in trunk box framed as valuable family belongings. Presently, this money is still with the deposit company.

Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last long 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 good individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here in. I want a person that will use this fund to orphanages, Research centers and widows, and the less privileged once. Blessed is the hand that giveth.

I took this decision because I don’t have any child that will inherit this money and my husband’s relatives are not good and I don’t want my family hard earned money will be used in a bad manner. Hence the reason for taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. I don’t need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health and the presence of my family relatives around me always. I don’t want them to know about this development. With Great Allah, all things are possible.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the pacific deposit Company. I will also inform the Trust company to issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the new beneficiary of this trunk box because they do not know the exact contents. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated here. Hoping to hearing from you soonest for procedure.

Remain blessed in the name of the Lord, and please take note that the deposit company does not know the trunk box content as money. It was registered as valuable family belongings when the deposit was made. Hope hearing from you soon.

Yours,
Sister Lizzy Williams.


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