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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Rosie Powers" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rosie_powers@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 19:43:32 +0400
Subject: Dear Friend

Good Day
>From Mrs. Rosie Powers
                                
 
                                               RE: PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USE IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
 
I am the above named person from United States. I was married to Dr. Kenneth Powers who worked with American Embassy in Abuja Nigeria for nine years before he died in the year 2012. We were married for Fifty Three years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only Five days. Before his death we were both born again Christians. Since his death I decided not to re-marry. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of USD$5.9Million (Five Million Nine hundred thousand U.S.Dollars) with one finance/security company in Abuja Nigeria. Presently, this money is still with the Security Company. Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to cancer problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke sickness.
 
I want a church or God fearing person to utilise this funds for churches, orphanages and widows. Propagating the word of God and to ensure that the house of God is maintained. The Bible made us to understand that Blessed is the hand that giveth.  I took this decision upon myself because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband  relations are non-christian and I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be  misused by unbelievers. I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner, hence, the reason for taking this bold decision.
 
I am not afraid of death since it's a necessary end and it will come when it must. Again, to the children of God, it's not the end of life but the begining of an everlasting life. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14:14 says that the Lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace. I don't need any telephonecommunication in this regard because of my health and the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about this development.
 
With God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Finance/Security Company in Abuja Nigeria. I will also issue you a letter of authority that will prove you as the original - beneficiary of this funds. I want you and the church to always pray for me because the Lord is my shephard.
My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and in truth because wealth acquisition without Christ is vanity upon vanity all will be vanity. Please always be prayerful all through your life. Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for a church or christian individual for same purpose.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein.
Kind Regards,
Mrs. Rosie Powers

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