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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 RUTH SMITH" <ruthsmith@cheerful.com>
Reply-To: ruthsmith@religious.com
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2014 07:03:06 -0400
Subject: Dear Beloved in Christ

I am Mrs. Ruth Smith, A widow to Late Mr. John Smith, I am 73years old,
and I am now a new Christian convert, suffering from long time cancer of
the ear. From all indications my condition is really deteriorating and
it's quite obvious that I won't live long according to my doctors.
This is because my cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. My late
husband was killed during the U.S raid, against terrorism in Afghanistan
when he traveled to Afghanistan to monitor a Hospital/a Humanitarian Found
at (HHF) he was setting up for the benefit of the Afghan masses as of
then; whose majority and 99 percent of them are Muslims/ Islamic scholars
and loyalists. During the period of our marriage we couldn’t produce any
child.. My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited
all his businesses and wealth, and when I noticed that my condition is not
improving rather it gets worsen by the day I decided to divide part of
this wealth, to contribute to Charity and the development of the churches
in Africa, America , Asia and Europe . I selected you after visiting the
internet and I prayed over it. I am willing to donate the fund to you for
charity, the less privileged, churches, orphanages and widows, Propagating
the word of God and to ensure that the house of God is maintained.
I took this decision upon myself because I don't have any child that will
inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I don't
want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers. Because
I have come to find out that wealth acquisition without Christ is vanity
upon vanity.
Please I want you to note that this fund was deposited in a BANK for
security purpose. And upon my instruction,my late husbands lawyer will
file application to the BANK for the release of the consignment to you.
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you and your family. I await Your
Urgent Reply( ruthsmith@religious.com ),any delay in your reply will give
me room in sourcing for
a church, another person or Christian individual for this same purpose.

Yours in Christ
Ruth Smith
Love & Prayer

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