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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From:
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2014 16:24:32 +0100
Subject: Attn: Mutual Benefit,

Dear beloved in Christ, I am Mrs. Madison Williams, from Philippines. I am married to DR. B. Williams who worked with Philippines embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the year 2010. We were married for eleven years without a child; He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both born again Christians, since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of USA18M (eighteen Million United State Dollars) with one finance/security company. Recently my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to cancer problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I decided to donate this Fund to orphanages or better still a Christian individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here in. I want person/persons that will use these funds to fund orphanages I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers. I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly 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. Exodus 14 VS 14. I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health and of the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about this development, With God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Finance/Security Company for immediate release of the total fund. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will prove you as the original- beneficiary of these Funds. I want you and the orphanages to always pray for me, and 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. Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for a church or Christian individual for this same purpose. I have set aside 20% for you and for your time and 10% for any expenses if there is any. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. I hope to read from you soonest. Kind regards. Yours in Christ, Mrs. Madison Williams.

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