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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: Grace Petrucci <chrishan.morganl2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: spetrucci2008@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2016 03:53:53 -0700
Subject: BELOVED.I AWAIT YOUR REPLY

Beloved,


Blessings from my heart to you.My quest to locate a responsible person to
bring my dreams to reality led me to take this bold step to contact you
through this medium and i would not like you to take offense owing to the
fact that we have not met before.I am Mrs.Grace Petrucci from Canada,wife
to the late Anthony C. Petrucci,who died with my only son in a ghastly
motor accident five years ago.My late husband and i were married for years
before his sudden demise.A weight i have carried for years.Coupled with the
trauma of undergoing cancer treatment for years now.My health has
deteriorated and the doctors are not confident i will live to see the next
two months which is heartbreaking for me.I decided to sell off all my
inherited properties in the USA and whatever belonging i could lay hands
which amounted to $7.5Million now deposited in a joint account i have with
my late husband in a bank in the USA.I took this decision because i do not
trust my late husband's surviving brothers who have a record of criminal
behaviors and have being jailed for various criminal offenses.I am sure
they are waiting for me to die so that they can come and inherit my
money.They have not shown concern regarding my health.They are bitter that
i inherited my late husbands money.I will not allow such bitter minds
inherit my money.I rather give it out to charity and the work of God.

I have decided after praying and my spirit is strong about this decision to
donate this money to charity.To be given to orphanages and used to improve
the life's of those suffering from cancer and expansion of the word of the
Lord.I saw your profile and i prayed over it that the Lord show me signs
that you a trustworthy person and He did.I decided to contact you seeking
that you stand as my next of kin to receive this funds and give it to
orphanages,old people's home and more.

I have discussed this with my Attorney and he is willing to assist in the
distribution of the money to charity.I feel i have fought a good fight and
my soul is now at peace and i am no longer afraid to die.I would have loved
to speak with you on the phone but,i can't because of my health condition
and the doctor frowns at it.Please always email me.I will provide you my
Attorneys details once you indicate your interest to assist with this
project.
Please reply and let me know if you are interested.

God Bless,

Best Regards,
Mrs.Grace Petrucci

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