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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: "Elizabeth Anna" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <elizabethannajohnson802@webmail.co.za>
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2020 20:47:31 +0200
Subject: How are you together with your family amid this coronavirus pandemic?.

Dear Friend in the Lord,

I warmly greet you.

Please forgive me if my plead sounds a bit strange or embarrassing to you. My family attorney who could have handled this executor ship of my WILL & TESTAMENT on my behalf died early this year after a protracted illness. I therefore prayed fervently and by the special grace of GOD, l got your email ID from your country's guest book. I am Mrs. Elizabeth Anna Johnson, a native of Germany, I am 58 years old. Am suffering from protracted cancer of the lungs which has also affected part of my brain cells due to complications. From all indication my condition is really deteriorating and it is quite obvious according to my doctors that I may not live for the next few months, because my condition has gotten to a critical and life threatening stage.


I was orphaned at the age of four and was raised in an orphanage and was married to my late husband Dr. A. Johnson for twenty years without a child. My late Husband had cadio-vascular condition and died of cardiac arrest few years ago. I am a fervent Believer and a God fearing woman just like my late husband. My Late Husband and I lived in South Africa for over 18 years, where my husband a petrochemical engineer by profession worked and rose through the ranks to become an Executive Director with a multinational construction and oil servicing conglomerate, before his demise. He also established huge private investments that I assisted in managing.

Sequel to the unfortunate and shocking demise of my priceless husband, I decided not to re-marry when my cancer ailment became terminal & more so because I do not have a next of kin to bequeath all that my late husband & I labored for, I sold off all our choice properties and other inherited belongings comprising of a shopping Mall, a hotel, shares, bonds, jewelries and other valuable family treasures and deposited the proceeds amounting to USD$5,600,000.00 (FIVE MILLION SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ONLY) with STANDARD CHARTERED BANK of South Africa. At present, this fund is still deposited with the bank. The management of the bank just wrote me as the sole owner because of the unserviceable status of the fund. The bank suggested to me in a 2 paragraph statement to issue a Letter of Authorization to someone who can manage the fund on my behalf because of my ill health and also threatened that the fund could be confiscated upon my failure to adhere to their Banking rules!
and regulations within stipulated

I have been hospitalized in a South African hospital, located in Johannesburg .It is the leading cancer treatment hospital in Africa and I have been undergoing treatment there for late-stage terminal cancer of the lungs. I am computer literate and was fortunate enough to have my personal laptop with me, hence I am writing from my sick bed. I rarely talk, my doctors told me that I have only few months to live, unless there is a divine intervention. It is my last WISH therefore to see that 80% of this fund is invested in any charitable organisation of your choice and administered as you may deem fit, especially to the orphanage homes and homes for destitute and the mentally retarded. you can also extend some part of the funds to churches and mosques, if you wish 20% of the fund could be for your efforts and other sundry arrangements that you may require as soon as the fund gets to you.


I crave your indulgence as a God fearing individual and as someone who cares for the less-privileged as much as I do, to take it upon yourself and use this fund for the above mentioned purposes. I took this painstaking decision in other to help humanity in my little capacity before I rest in peace in the bosom of GOD Almighty. According to my physicians my time will soon be up. As soon as I receive your reply and personal information’s as listed below, I shall give you the official contact of the Standard Chartered Bank officials in South Africa to enable you contact the Bank without delays. I will also issue you with a Letter of Authorization.

The Letter of Authorization will prove that you are the new beneficiary of my WILL & TESTAMENT. the funds have an open beneficiary mandate and as such, it is whom I authorize or appoint to act on my behalf that the bank will recognize and release the funds to. Please assure me that you will not treat this offer with levity but will rather give my bequest continued existence.


Awaiting your kind response while craving your appreciation on my predicament.

Sincerely Yours
Mrs. Elizabeth Anna Johnson

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