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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. Wendy Toppen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrswendytoppen@btinternet.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2014 10:42:53 -0700
Subject: Re: Greetings From Mrs. Wendy Toppen.

My name is Ms. Wendy Toppen, a 58 year old widow. I apologize if the contents in this mail are contrary to your moral ethics, I pray that this message reaches you in wonderful spirit as I am making this contact with you based on trust and confidence irrespective of the fact that we have not met before and because of the nature of the situation I find myself. I got your contact from a public directory through my personal endeavour and decided to contact you. I believe my contacting you is not an ordinary coincidence because God can use any body known or unknown to accomplish great things which he has ordained.
 
As fate may have it, I was diagnosed of pelvic cancer three years ago and just last month, I was told by my doctor that I have less than four month to live due to the deteriorating stage of the cancer having suffered a lot these past years trying to hold on to life.
 
At this stage of my life, I wish to give back to humanity what I have been able to achieve with my husband in our life time since I have no kids or family left to benefit from it. Before I was diagnosed of cancer three years ago, I have been maintaining a fixed deposit account under Bankers acceptance valued at (Five Million, Five hundred thousand Dollars). This money was partly inherited from my late husband after his death and also proceeds that I made from the sale of Gold and Diamonds to the American market in 2004.
 
I have decided to Willingly Donate the sum of (Five Million, Five hundred thousand Dollars) to charity and individual through you for the good work of the lord, and to help the motherless, less privileged and also for the assistance of the widows.
 
I am therefore reaching out to you, soliciting that you accept this donation from me on behalf of the less privileged ones in our society and use the money to set up charity organisation and to take care of the abandoned widows who needs help for survival. The charity organisation must be a non governmental organisation but will seek the support of corporate firms, professionals and individuals for the growth and support of free humanitarian assistance to the less privileged.
 
This appeal is meant for one with a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to serving humanity. If you are willing and interested to accept my proposal, Kindly furnish me your Full Name and your Address also your Contact Number, so that I will prepare all relevant documents with the assistance of our family lawyer to effect the release of the fund to you.
 
Remain Blessed.
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs Wendy Toppen

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