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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: "Ms. Patricia Anne Thomson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <graffdiamondsuk@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2020 08:59:14 -0700
Subject: Charity Donation from Ms. Patricia Anne Thomson

From Mrs. Patricia Anne Thomson
United Kingdom Building,
British Quarters, Ikoyi
Lagos, Nigeria.
Greetings to you,
May the peace of the Lord God be with you and your family. I am Ms. Patricia Anne Thomson, a widow from Tyne Valley of south Northumberland, NE42 6BP, England, United Kingdom. I am 80 years old. I'm married to Dr. Bernard Lance Thomson who worked with the United Kingdom Embassy in Republic of Nigeria for Thirty five years before he retired and owned GOLD MINE FIELDS in west Africa, he died in the year 2014. We were married for fourty five years without a child, When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of USD$3,800.000.00 (Three Million, Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) in a bank in Republic of Nigeria. Presently this money is still in the bank.
Recently my doctor told me that I would not last for the next Six months due to cancer problem, The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness, Having known my condition I decided to WILL/Donate this fund to you on charity purpose, I want you to utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein, I want you to use this money to fund churches,LESS-PRIVILEGES,orphanages, schools,disabled People, and widows propagating the word Of God and to ensure that the house of God is maintained. The Bible made us to understand that blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money.
Presently, I'm in an American owned hospital here in Republic of Nigeria, where I have been taking treatment for this sickness. As soon as I receive your reply and confirm your acceptance to work as I instruct herein, I shall give you all the relevant information that will authorize the transfer of the total sum of USD $3,800.000.00 to you on charity's purposes.
30% of the fund is for you and your family, if you will accept to do this humanitarian work. You will promised me that you will not disappoint me when the fund will be transferred to your bank account there in your country, and you will also assured me that you will use 70% of the money for the said purpose.
Email me back immediately for further details.
Remain Blessed
Yours Faithfully,
Ms. Patricia Anne Thomson

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