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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: Sarah Farmer <marie_ahmed9000@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: Sarah Farmer <sarah_fa20@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 22 May 2014 01:03:33 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Peace be unto you.


Peace be unto you.
I know my mail might be a surprise to you but never mind 'cause I'm contacting you in good faith. However, accept my sincere apologies if it doesn't meet your personal ethics.I am Sarah Farmer, a native of France and the survivor of Michael Farmer who until his death on September 2009 served in the World Missionary Society. We were married for thirteen years though we had no child. I have not remarried since his death.
 
When my husband was alive he deposited a certain sum in a renowned Bank(I'll give you the contact details when I hear from you and more trust develops.) However, I've been staying in the hospital for sometime now diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer  which is gradually spreading over to other parts of my body, and at present, my Doctor confirmed to me that I have little chance to life and might not see my next birthday due to the nature and complications associated with the sickness, so I eventually decided to donate the fund to the Mission where my husband served. However, the Bishop of Korhogo (a town in the North-Central region) had recently received information that my late husband Michael lived an immoral and lewd life, hence my donation was considered to be tainted since I inherited it from my husband. The Bishop now rejects it. I don't know why he did this as I believe that judgment belongs to God. On this note, I've decided to donate this
fund to a religious organization, help foundation or a trust worthy individual who will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein.
 
I want the fund to be used on orphanages, disaster victims, helping the widows and the forgotten ones in the society. Such good work is a teaching of true religion that is not defiled in the way and that has always been in my heart. I know that God does not discriminate and can use any willing person to do his work. Do you think you can do this in good faith? I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my health has taken a turn for the worse, and my husbands' brother who lives abroad is an atheist and doesn't care nor show any interest in the affairs of my family. I am not afraid of death because I know where I am going. I want you to always pray for me also.
Sincerely,

Sarah Farmer
Rue Cannas et Jasmins Cocody Danga.
22 BP 1283 Abidjan 22.

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