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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: Elizabeth Michael <elizbeth.michaels@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2013 11:00:18 -0700
Subject: Donation From Mrs. Elizabeth Michael,


Donation From Mrs. Elizabeth Michael,
Address: 12b Av. Fiata,
Lome Togo.

Dear ,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am Mrs Elizabeth Michael.
I am married to Mr.Fred Michael who worked with Kuwait embassy in Lome Togo
for many years before he died in the year 2011. My matrimonial status is
that I lost my husband and two kids in Motor accident on 15 December 2011.
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of (£3.600.000.00)
Three million six hundred thousand pounds in a Bank. Presently this money
is still in the bank. Recently my Doctor told me that I would not last for
the next Eight months due to my cancer problem.

The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my
condition I decided to donate this fund to an individual/ organization that
will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein, use this
fund for orphanages, school and church,

widows, propagating the word of God .I took this decision because I don't
have any child that will inherit this money I don't need any telephone
communication in this regard because of my health .With God all things are
possible. As soon as I receive your reply with your full information,

Your full name.......................
Address.......................................
Country.......................................
Age...........................................

I will use the above information to obtain an authorization letter that
will legally and officially approve you as the new beneficiary of this fund
from the Federal Ministry of Justice Lome Togo. I want you and the church
to always pray for me because the lord is my shepherd.

My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that
wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and Truth. Please assure
me that you will act accordingly as I Stated above. Hoping to receive your
reply with the above information's.

Remain blessed in the Lord
Yours Sister in Christ
Mrs Elizabeth Michael.

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