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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: "Sarah Farmer" <ottmar.thomas@t-online.de>
Reply-To: sarahfarmer0120@yahoo.cn
Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2013 22:10:26 +0200
Subject: From your sister in the Lord's Vineyard.

CNA Building, 2nd floor, 01BP 4297.
Abidjan 01.

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you.
I am Sis. Sarah E. Farmer from Ascension Island, the survivor of
Mulvihill Farmer, a missionary who until his death on September 2009
served in the World Outreach Abidjan in Ivory Coast.
When my husband was alive he deposited the sum of $3.7M USD in a
renowned Bank in Abidjan. However, I've been staying in the hospital
(Cancer center) diagnosed of blood cancer. I've decided to donate this
fund to a help foundation or a trust worthy individual who will use it
to fund orphanages, disaster victims, and the forgotten ones in the
society.

I have no child and my husbands' brother who lives abroad is an atheist
and doesn't show any interest in the affairs of my family. I'll give you
the necessary contact and more details when I hear from you and more
trust develops.
Sarah.



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