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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: Reena Martin <sylvester_murry@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Reena Martin <re_martin61@yahoo.com.au>
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 19:37:37 -0700
Subject: My Quest:


My Quest:

My Beloved in Christ,

May the peace and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. I'm Mrs. Reena
Martin, the widow of late Dr. Jason Martin, I am a Christian convert, suffering
from prolonged cancer of the ovary, from all medical indications my condition
has really deteriorated and it's pretty obvious that
I may not live for a long time owning to the rapid growth by stage and the
excruciating pain that accrues to it.
 My husband died long ago, and our long
years of marriage were not blessed with children. My husband was wealthy. After
his death, naturally I inherited all his assets. My doctor has diagnosed and
told me privately what I should expect, building my spirit for the inevitable
,based on this I have taken the decision to make this donation in contribution
to charity and the society with major focus on the poor, needy, victims of
HIV/AIDS and cancer.
After fervent prayers I selected you having visited your website, I wish you to
be a part of the charity work which I am about to entrust into your care. I
will be willing to tell you more concerning this project as soon as I hear from
you.  I am by his grace relying on my positive instincts that I can trust
you. This fund is deposited in a bank in the country where my husband worked; I
now realize that wealth without life in Christ is vanity.
 Finally I honestly employ you to ensure
that these funds are put to use only for this purpose, and remember these are
the demands of a dyeing woman who has a life in the lord, always remember that.
 May the grace and blessings of God be
and remain with you.
 I shall urgently await your response.

 Peace and Joy
 Reena Martin

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