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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 Grace Petrucci" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <grace.petrucci@vp.pl>
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2017 18:41:27 +0100
Subject: Please read my letter and get back to me.

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.I took this decision because i do not trust my late husband's surviving brothers wh o have a record of criminal behav
 
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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