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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: Grace Benson <grace_benson56@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: : ;
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2014 15:18:25 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CAN YOU HELP THE PEOPLE OF GOD




Greetings,
 
CAN YOU HELP THE PEOPLE OF GOD?

I am Mrs, Grace Benson,from france a devoted christian, i am 59 years old widow, i have been diagonised  of long time breast cancer,from all indications my conditions is really
deteriorating and it is quite obvious that i wouldn't live more than
three months, according to my doctors, regards to my medical analysis,
this is because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage that no
hope for me to be a living person again,
 
My late husband was killed during the france raid against terrorism in
togo, and during the period of our marriage we could not produce any
child, my late husband was very wealthy and after his death, i inherited all his businesses and wealth. the doctors has advised me
that i may not live for more than three months due to my bad health,
 
So i now decided to use my late husband wealth to help the poor and
helpless people and orphanage homes in your country and also contribute
to the development of the church in america, africa, asia and europe
especailly create solution to problem of less previllaged ones,
 
i was  touched by God to select  you after my browsing from your country directory website, i prayed and
fast over it, i am willing to donate to you the sum of (four
million,five hundred thousand US dollars) $4.500.000.00 for you to use the fund for the good of mankind as i desire.
 
Please i want you to note that the fund is deposited in a bank in togo upon my instructions, they will transfer the fund to your account in your
country where you will receive it and use it as desire.
 
Lastly I honestly prayed that this money when transfered to you will be used
for the said purpose even though am late then, because i have come to
find out that wealth acquisition without christ is vanity and i made the promise to God that the fund will be use to build his temple. may the grace of
our lord jesus the love of God and the fellowship of God be with you and your family.
 
I am waiting for your urgent reply.
 
Remain blessed
 
Mrs. Grace Benson. 

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