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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: HELLEN COLEMAN <hellencoleman24@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2015 19:56:22 +0000
Subject: RE: GREETINGS


>From Sister Hellen Coleman.


Beloved:


I am the above named person from Israel.


I am married to Mr. Lawrence Coleman who worked with Israel embassy in
United Kingdom and finally in Africa for nine years before he died in the
year 2008. We were married for thirty eight years without a child. His
death was so sudden as he died after a brief illness that lasted for only
four days.

Before his death, we both work for humanity and has decided to live for
charity. After his death, I decided not to adopt a child outside my
matrimonial home which was an agreement between i and my late husband as we
have decided to donate to charity all our belongings and savings.


When my late husband was alive he deposited part of the fund that he
inherited from his late parents with a trust in UK before his transfer to
Africa to continue his foreign mission service. He also kept some of his
wealth here in Africa which i inherited and was doing humanitarian work
with as agreed with my late husband. Recently, my Doctor told me that I
have serious sickness which was diagnose to cancer that lead to being
confided in the hospital for proper care and serious medical attention.


Having known my condition, I decided to donate this funds to a church, an
NGO or an individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to
instruct herein. I want a church that will use this fund for orphanages,
widows,free health care, people with special need and scholarships for the
poor and less privileged people.


I took this decision 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 efforts to be used by unbelievers. I also don´t want a situation
where this money will be used in an ungodly way. This is why I am taking
this decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I
know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord.


I don´t need any telephone communication in this regard because of my
health hence the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I
don´t want them to know about this development since they are not christian
because the money will not be channel to the will of my husband. As soon
as I receive your reply I shall give you the documents and contacts of the
places where the family treasure are deposited so that you will establish
contact with them. I will also issue you an authority letter that will
authenticate you as the rightful beneficiary to the treasure.


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 Truth. Please always
pray for me as i pass through this pain and i pray also that the Good Lord
will give you the wisdom to handle this task on my behalf. Please Contact
me on hellencoleman24@yahoo.com as soon as possible for more information’s.


Thank you in anticipation for your assistance and remain bless.


Yours sincerely,


Sister Hellen Coleman

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