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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: revlopeti3 <revlopeti3@yeah.net>
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 23:38:40 +0800 (CST)
Subject: From Rev Fr. Lopeti M John.

From Rev Fr. Lopeti M John.

To my follow dear in Christ:

I am a catholic priest from Tonga Islands in Pacific Oceania and a member of Apostleship of the Sea (AOS), I am also a missionary priest working here in the sea port of Abidjan . I hold on Trusts the sum of $2.4 million. The beneficiary was a ship captain widower without child we have met many times and he died 2 years ago written WILL attached to $2.4 million. The Trust Agreement signed with the owner permits me to appoint a Beneficiary/Inheritor of the said funds in the event of death of the owner. I therefore wish to appoint you / your congregation the Beneficiary/Inheritor of the aforementioned funds for possible claiming and evacuation. The owner said the beneficiary most be a group of congregational catholic nuns, brother or priests of parishes or an individual member of Catholic Church, you are hereby advised to send me your telephone numbers for discussion of this matter in full details and also direct you to the lawyer who executes the fund. I would have came for the claim, but he already donated to my ministry a huge amount in the past 3years ago, so I want you people to take control of the favor of this captain who is also a dedicated catholic member from Rotterdam Holland. After your response, I will give you my phone number and other information to communicate with me freely.

Yours Truly brother in Christ,

Rev Fr. Lopeti M John.

Anti-fraud resources: