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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Carolyn Wright" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrscarolynwright31@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2020 06:31:48 -0700
Subject: GOD'S WORK

I warmly greet you.,
 
My name is Mrs Carolyn Wright, I am an Australia I am 76 years old, was married to Late DR. CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT , We were married for 32 years without a child. My late husband was a businessman and Gold marchant but he was poisoned by his business partner. And Recently, My Doctor told me that I will undergo a Surgery (CANCER OF THE LUNGS ) and I may not survive it or live longer than required due to my health condition. I inherited a total sum of $1O,OOO,OOO USD. (Ten million United State Dollars) from my late husband, I deposited the money with First Inland bank Nigeria Plc. Having known my condition, I decided to donate this fund to any God fearing man or woman who will use the money the way I am going to instruct. I want somebody who will fulfil the desire of I and my late husband to help the less privileged people, orphanages and the poor widows .
 
This is why I am taking this decision to hand over this fund to you in good faith and measure to help the less privileged by opening a foundation you will call "WRIGHT'S FOUNDATION". If you are interested in to handle this FUNDS, please give me YOUR NAME, HOME ADDRESS, PROFESSION, and CURRENT TELEPHONE NUMBERS.. to enable me write a Letter of Authorization on your behalf to the bank as my next of kin as soon as possible. I have a limited time to live, I am not afraid of death, hence I know where I am going. I want you to always remember me in your daily prayers.
 
Kindly contact me if you are interested to carry out this humanitarian duty. Yours-in-Christ,
 
Mrs. Carolyn Wright.

Anti-fraud resources: