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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: "From Mrs. Katherine Alberto" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <katherine.alberto22@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2017 23:37:24 -0700
Subject: Can I trust you for this important assignment?

My beloved one in the Lord,

Greetings in the name of our Lord, and how are you doing today? I hope all is well with you and your entire family. My dear I need a fearful child of God who can handle this project and assignment which I'm about to disclose to you. Actually, I don't know if really you can handle this project and assignment in accordance with my instructions and directives however I will wait upon your response within the next 48hrs and if you cannot do it then I will look for another person or non governmental organization that can handle it very efficiently. Though all that I needed from you is integrity, honesty, sincerity and trust.

My dear, with due respect and humanity, I'm compelled by writing to you under a humanitarian ground. My Names are Mrs. Katherine Alberto, 55 years old from Switzerland. I am married to Mr. Stefano Marc Leo from Switzerland but presently we are living in Cotonou, Benin Republic, West Africa. We are married for about 25 years now but unfortunately without any child. We did our best but unfortunately that is not the WILL of God.

Sadly, I lost my husband for exactly one year and six months now. He died after a sudden Cardiac Arrest. I am writing this message to you with pains and tears in my eyes. My heart is too heavy and my days are numbered. To worsen the situation, I am, a Cancer Patient and few weeks ago, my Doctor told me that I would not likely live for the next three (3) months due to my cancer problem (Breast Cancer) precisely. My situation and illness is getting worse day by day and I'm afraid of giving up my life without confiding with you the purpose of writing this email/message to you.

Furthermore, before my husband died last year there is this sum of {US$8,500,000.00}, Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars that he deposited with a BANK here in Benin Republic and presently the fund is still with the Bank. Having known my condition I have decided to donate and use this fund in order to support the (Orphanage home, Churches, Motherless, Widows and less privilege peoples) all over the world. Therefore, I want someone that will use this fund wisely as I have just said and instructed in this email. I need a fearful child of God that can be trusted and who can handle this project and assignment successfully to the glory of our God.

This is not an easy decision making but I have chosen and decided to use this fund for the service of God and humanity especially considering the fact that I don't have any CHILD who can inherit this wealth and fortune. I rather use it for the service of God and man kind but it will be very shameful and course upon you and your entire family if you eventually received this fund and failed to use it accordingly for the glory of the Lord as you were instructed. I will be more than happy and fulfilled if you can use this fund in accordance with my "WILL" and that of my late husband by helping the (Church of the God, the Motherless, the Orphanage home, Widows and less privilege peoples) all over the world. This is the project and assignment that I want you to use this fund for.

I strongly believe in you, I trusted and have full confidence that you will not betray or disappoint me on this issue at all. May God give you the grace, strength and wisdom to carry out this project and assignment successful without any evil agenda. May he guide, protect and bless you abundantly and your entire family, Amen. May his mercy, grace and wisdom be upon you throughout your life time undertaking. May his spirit over power you, direct you and lead you through on this great assignment and project.

Finally, you will take 30% out of the total fund for yourself and your family. As for your efforts and service, I advise that you should collect 30 percent out of the total fund {US$8,500,000.00}, Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars, upon the receipt and confirmation of the money into your nominated bank account. Presently, this money (US$8.5m) is deposited and lodged in a BANK here in Cotonou-Benin Republic and will be transferred into your nominated Bank Account as soon as possible to enable you finalize on this project and assignment as you were instructed.

I think the questions are "Are you willing and ready to execute this assignment and project"? How sincere and faithful are you? Can I trust you over this huge assignment and task"? Please kindly indicate your interest, readiness and willingness if you are really sure and wish to help me to actualize this vision and dream. Upon your response, I will direct you and link you with the TRANSFERRING BANK in order to proceed with your payment and transfer the fund into your bank account immediately. Also do notify and forward all your BANKING details & information necessary upon responding on this issue.

I'm waiting to hear from you soon.

Yours sister in the Lord,

Mrs. Katherine Alberto.

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