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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. Sara S Wulanbata" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrssara2015@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sun, 5 Jul 2015 15:15:16 -0700
Subject: My Dearest, how are you doing?4

My Dearest, how are you doing? This mail may come to you as a surprise but be rest assured that this is not a hoax mail. With Due Respect and Humanity, I was compelled to write to you under a humanitarian ground, Greetings in the Name of our GOD. My name is Mrs. Sara S Wulanbata. I am suffering from long time cancer of the heart. I was born in Romania, Pennsylvania. I am married to late Dr. Lloyd Wulanbata, from California U.S.A. We were married for 36 years without a child due to my cancer problem. My husband died on his business trip to Damascus Syria by a gun shot by the rebel during the Syria crisis uprising. My late husband was a highly reputable business man, who operated with oil and gas during his days and after his death I inherited all his businesses and wealth. Presently I was currently in a hospital in Indonesia where I have been undergoing treatment for esophageal cancer due to the war. 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 the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. As the doctors has advised me that I may not live long, I decided to look for an trust worthy person who can help me accomplish my wish on earth in humanitarian charity service with my funds by distributing it to Church, mosque and orphanage in Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Middle East so that when I die my soul can rest in peace. I am willing to donate my US$3.5 Million U.S Dollars to you for the charity service and less privilege children. I selected your email after my prayer over this. Please I want you to note that I deposited this fund with a Bank in London and upon my instruction, the fund will be transfer to you without any further delay. I honestly pray that you should use this money for the said purpose when you receive it because I have come to find out that wealth acquisition without GOD is vanity upon vanity. Please get back to me with your details, such as your full name, resident address and telephone number if you can be trusted. Immediately I confirmed your willingness I will tell the bank to release the fund to you. I await your urgent reply. Mrs. Sara Wulanbata


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