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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: "Mrs. Catherine James" <gracetapia0@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Catherine James" <catherinejames4444@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 15 May 2014 01:24:40 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Apostolic Greetings To You From Mrs. Catherine James,

Apostolic Greetings To You From Mrs. Catherine James,

With
Due Respect And Humanity, I was compelled to write to you under a
humanitarian ground, My name is Catherine James My nationality is
England, I am married to Mr Peter James director J.C Industries Cote
d'Ivoire West Africa.We were married for 36 years without a child. He
died after a Cadiac Arteries Operation. And Recently, My Doctor told me
that I would not last for the next six months due to my cancer problem
(cancer of the lever and stroke). Before my husband died last year there
is this sum $3.8 Million Dollars that he deposited with one of the
security Company here In Cote D'Ivoire West Africa, Presently this money
is still in the Vault of the Company.

Having known my condition I
decided to donate this fund to any good God fearing brother or sister
that will utilize this
fund the way I am going to instruct herein. I want somebody that will
use this fund according to the desire of my late.husband to help
Lessprivilaged people, orphanages,widows and propagating the word of
God. I took this decision because I don’t have any child that will
inherit this fund, And I don’t want in away where this money will be
used in an unGodly way. This is why I am taking this decision to hand
you over this Fund. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am
going.

I want you to always remember me in your daily prayers
because of my up coming Cancer Surgery. Write back as soon as possible
any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another person for
this same purpose, Hoping to read from you asap. God bless you as you
listing to the voice of reasoning. I Stated herein. Hoping to receive
your reply .

Remain blessed in the Lord.
Your's Sister In Christ, Madam Catherine James.

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