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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: Sister Helen Ibeku <helenfamily@outlook.fr>
Reply-To: Sister Helen Ibeku <helen_ibekufamiliiy@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2015 06:06:29 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Greetings.


Greetings.

Greetings
to you and your family in the name of God,in my search
for a reliable and God
fearing person and having gotten
your
contact through prayers and pains taking efforts via searching I made
on the internet on my bed side. Presently, I'm in a hospital where I
have been undergoing treatment for Esophagi Cancer.

Though its a sad and long story but I will cut it short for your quick and easy understanding. I am Helen Ibeku(Mrs), widow to Late Mr. Edward Ibeku, former Defense attache to Greece
Embassy in Cote Ivoire. My husband was murdered alongside our only son
Elvis by those who are envious of his position in the same office. 

Before
his death he made a vow to
use his wealth for the down trodden, orphanages and the less privileged
in the society. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund
to an individual or better still a God fearing person who will utilize
this money the way I am going to instruct here in. I want an individual
that will use this fund and provide succor to poor and indigent persons,
orphanages, and widows and for the propagating peace.

I
took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit
this money and my husband relatives are not inclined to helping poor
persons and I do not
want my husband's hard earned money to be misused or spent in the
manner in which my late husband did not specify. I do not want a
situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner.

What
is required of you is your honesty, trust and sincerity. Any delay in
your reply will give me room in sourcing for another individual for this
same purpose.
May God Almighty bless you.
Helen Ibeku (Mrs).

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