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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: "CINDY WILLIAMS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cdwilliams1974@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2014 16:28:40 -0700
Subject: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE......READ AND GET BACK TO ME URGENTLY

Dearest Beloved,
It is with warm hearts I offer my friendship, and my greetings, and I hope this letter meets you in good time. It
will be surprising to you to receive this proposal from me since you do not know me personally. However, I am sincerely seeking your confidence in this transaction, which I propose with my free mind and as a person of integrity from
God. I am Mrs. Cindy Williams,a British National. I was married to Dr. Greg Williams who worked with the British
embassy in China for nine years before he died in the year 2011.We were married for twelve years and the
union unfortunately did not produce any offspring. Before his death we had given our lives to Christ and
were living according to his word.
A few weeks ago i was diagnosed with cancer and the doctor has informed me that i do not have much time to
live. Presently I am practically an invalid as the cancer has ravaged my body and i can feel my life
slowly ebbing away. I do not have much time to do the Lord's work but He will give me strength to see my
last assignment through. My husband, before his death deposited his life savings of approximately Six Million
Five hundred thousand U.S. Dollars with a financial institution here in the UK. Before his death,
we were committed to the growth of the church and the propagation of the word, but I can no longer partake
in these noble tasks. I need a church, or Christian individual who can continue the work in our stead.
who will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here into-fund churches,orphanages and widows propagating
the word of God and to ensure that the house of God is maintained. To care for the sick, the poor, the downtrodden wherever they may be The Bible made us to understand that blessed is
the hand that gives. I took this decision because I don't have any child or next of kin who can inherit
these monies. Though the internet is a seemingly unlikely place to find such individuals, I believe that the
Lord hides jewels in the most unlikely places. It is not the means that is important but the message.
I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my
case and I shall hold my peace. With God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall
give you the contact of financial institution. I will also issue you a letter of authority
that will prove you as the original- beneficiary of this fund. I want you and the church to always pray
for me because the lord is my shepherd. Happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. Hoping to hearing from you. Remain
blessed in the name of the Lord.
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Cindy Williams

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