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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 CHURCHILL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.churchill1@yahoo.ie>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2015 11:07:51 -0300
Subject: Good Morning

Good Morning
Calvary greetings in the name of Almighty God, I am Mrs.  CHURCHILL, a widow to  late (Phyllis CHURCHILL,). I live in London, UK, 69 years old, I am suffering from  breast cancer, my condition is serious and according to my doctor it is quite  obvious that I may not survive the disease.
 
My late husband and my only son died in the crash of Swissair Flight 111, on the  second of September 1998. After the death of my husband I decided to do the work of  God to be a missionary. I sold all my husband's properties and shares increase, so  I some money to continue my mission. I raised the sum of (U.S. $ 10.7 million),
which I deposited with a Security Company. Now that my illness has gone to this  stage, I am scared and I will like  you to use the funds to build homes and Hospital  for the charity in your country .
 
I await your urgent response.
Sincerely,
Mrs CHURCHILL
Email:  CHURCHILLCHURCHILL@linuxmail.org
 

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