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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: "Rev. James Robinson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rev.jamesrob@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2013 21:01:10 -0700
Subject: Noble Call

Dear Friend
 
Please take your time to read this message; although i know you will be amazed at the level of trust that i am willing to place on someone I have never seen nor spoken with before. It is my condition that has prompted me to do so. I have been disowned by the people. I lived my productive life serving Catholics!
 
Please my friend, i want you to swear an oath of secrecy never to mention this to anybody, not even your spouse must learn of this. You must uphold this information am about to share with utmost confidentiality, fasten and prayer. If this information gets into the wrong hands or into the hand of the wrong Catholics they will go to any length to jeopardize this course.
 
My name is Rev. James Robinson, I am a 75 years old catholic priest of over 25 years. I was framed for sexual offenses against minors in 1985. This was the work of my enemies who were against the reforms i pushed for in the Catholic churches.
 
I was sentenced in October 2010, after hiding in the USA for a long time. Since then, i have been battling with a poor heart condition and i know i cannot live any longer than i have done. I've decided to release to you the total sum of $8,970,000.00 (Eight Million Nine Hundred and seventy Thousand US Dollars) deposited in an offshore bank. I had wanted to use this money to set up an orphanage home but since it is clear that may not live to achieve this project, i want to bequeath this money to you so that you will help me accomplish this dream.
 
As a Catholic Priest, I had no child, no wife, and no family. The church i trusted all my life has failed me, so I have no other option as my days on earth are numbered. It is true we don't receive emails like this every day, but today is a different day for you. I will turn exactly 75 years later this year.
 
I took this decision because i was raised in an Orphanage home, i do not have relatives and thirdly, i will soon be undergoing a major heart surgery of which i do not think i will survive any more surgeries in the theatre. This is why i have decided to contact you so that you can help me fulfil my last wish. As soon as i receive your response indicating your interests, i will furnish you will all the detailed information you would require to claim this money from the bank as my next of kin.
 
Regards
 
Rev. James Robinson
 
NB: Please remember to include your full contact information phone number(s) and address, if you are willing to help me with this noble call.
 

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