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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: sandra <sandra_d2017@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: sandra <mariasil_vana0511@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2015 00:51:52 +0900 (JST)
Subject: I need your prayers


Dearest Beloved,

  I'm Mrs. Maria Silvana from Canada. I am married to Mr. Richard Silvana, who has worked with the Canadian Embassy here in Cote d 'Ivoire for nine years before he died 2008. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both born again Christian.

  After his death I decided not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When my husband was alive he deposited the sum of ($ 2.5 million) Two million five hundred thousand US dollars deposited in a bank here in Ivory Coast. Currently, this money is still with the bank here in Abidjan, capital of Ivory Coast. Recently, after my illness, my doctor told me I would not last for the next eight months due to
cancer problem, I said that in the next eight months will be spreading this type of bone cancer and no longer live. B ut what worries me most is my stroke sickness.

  I am having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church, organization or individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want a church, organization or individual that will use this fund for orphanages, widows like me, the poor and needy, and also propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is maintained.

  The Bible made us to understand that "Blessed is the hand that gives." I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not christain and do not want my husband's efforts to be used by unbelievers. I do not want a situation where this money will be used so wicked. This is why I am taking this decision.

  I'm not afraid
of death hence I know where to go. I know I will 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. "I do not need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health and, therefore, the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. They do not want my husband's relatives to know about this development. With God all things are possible.

  As soon as I receive your reply I will give you the contact of the bank where the funds deposited by my late husband to get in touch directly. I send you a letter of authority that will prove the present beneficiary of this fund. I want you and the church to always pray for me because the Lord is my shepherd. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Who wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and in truth. Please always be prayer for life. Any delay in his reply will give me room in sourcing
another person for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. Hoping to get an answer from you.

Thank you and God bless you.
Yours in sincere,

Mrs. Maria Silvana.

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