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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: "Joy William" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <roziski.wills@aim.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2014 09:23:51 -0000
Subject: From Solomon Islands

Greetings to you my dear beloved one

Your first reaction to this mail will be total rejection, scare and may be unbelief, owing largely to the atrocities people commit these days in quest for easy wealth. This email comes from a devastated, sorrowful and emotional laden soul that needs compassion from a kind and conscience driven person like you, who can wipe away my tears against all odds, perhaps when I am gone beyond this sinful world.

I am Mrs Joy William from Solomon Islands. I was married to late Dr. Lobi William who worked with our Embassy for nine years before he died in the year 2011, who left me with unimaginable pain to eternity after a brief illness. I have been entrusted with the sum of eight million five hundred thousand dollars, the accrued savings and life insurance gratuity of my late husband is in the custody of a Finance Institution in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire. I have been diagnosed of a complex case of ovarian cancer that has spread into my pelvic cavity, consequently, is due for surgery as the only cure. According to experts, a cure that allows me to breath for few days. Obviously, according to my doctor, my days are numbered! I may die any moment from the above sickness.

I took this decision because I want you to recover the money for your prudent care, management and for funding of church organizations, for orphanages and other peoples that needs help. Secure travelling papers for my daughter Linda who is presently in one of the South African countries and train her as your adopted child. Since my illness is terminal and the fact that relatives and friends have plundered so much of my wealth I cannot live with the agony of entrusting this huge responsibility to any of them because my daughter is like my mirror now. In view of the complexity of my illness, my best legacy for my daughter will be to have her grown into adulthood under the supervision of someone whose mind is driven by conscience.

My Bible made us to understand that"Blessed is the hand that giveth". Please kindly get back to me if you are willing to assist me in this Endeavour. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank. I will also issue a letter of authorization to the bank that will prove you the present beneficiary of this money. Contact me on the this email address and any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another good person.

Thank you
Mrs. Joy William
>From Solomon Islands

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