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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. Maria Santiago Roberts" <info@mariaroberts.co.uk>
Reply-To: <mariaroberts427@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2019 17:26:54 -0700
Subject: From Mrs. Maria Santiago Roberts

Dear Beloved in Christ Jesus,
 
I am Mrs. Maria Santiago Roberts a Spanish national Based United Kingdom, I was browsing and I saw your e-mail So I decided to write you if your e-mail is still valid.
 
I have been diagnosed with uncurable esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live. I am rich, but i was never generous; I have given most of my assets to my immediate family members.
 
I have decided to give aims to charity organizations. I cannot do this myself anymore because of my health. I once asked members of my family to give some money to charity organizations, they refused and kept the money.
 
I am not afraid of death Hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the Blossom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that "the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace.
 
Please I have a huge cash deposit of (US$156M) One hundred and Fifty six Million dollars only with a Finance management. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to charity organizations.
 
Please answer these questions below.
 
(1)Your Full Names?.
(2)How old are you?
(3)What do you do for a living?
(4)Private telephone number?
(5)Your Country of origin?
 
You are going to take out 30% of these funds for your assistance to help ME disburse this fund to charities Organizations. I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon as possible and treats with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.
 
As soon as I receive your reply, I shall give you the contact of my trusted Lawyer who will also issue you a Letter of Authorization from the High Court of Justice that will prove you to be a beneficiary of this fund. Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another individual for this same purpose.
 
Awaits your timely reply.
 
Best Regards,
 
Mrs. Maria Santiago Roberts
 

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