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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. Renate Magdalena Settnik" <mmrsrenate@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2022 22:22:03 -0800
Subject: Greetings dearly beloved,

My dear Friend and Beloved,

Sorry to invade your privacy, I am Mrs. Renate Settnik German Citizen,
I am 67 years old widow, the wife of Mr. Richard Fankfurt Settnik, we
both lived together here in Burkina Faso he was a Crude Oil dealer
before he was killed during the Burkina Faso Political unrest that
happened 6 years ago in August 2016, after his death i was diagnose
esophageal cancer patient which resulted me to contract Paralysis,
What worries me is that i am down with FULL-BODY PARALYSIS. I cannot
walk, nor stand I have been bedridden for Three years now.

With the the money I inherited from my late husband the sum of 25
million Euros, I have given donations to over 10 Charity Organizations
and Foundations, in Africa,Asia, South America, etc with the help of
the Bishop of the Catholic church where i worship. at this moment I
have the balance deposit sum of 15 million Euros which i want to
entrust in you for charity project in your country, the fund is
deposited with one of the prime bank here in Burkina Faso, Presently,
I am in a hospital receiving treatment and my doctor has confirmed to
me that i have just few days to live on earth due to my esophageal
cancer. Please I am choosing you to receive this money on my behalf,
and use it to help the less privilege.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the
Catholic Bishop where you will send him your bank details and other
requirements he may need from you, I want you and the church to always
pray for me.

Kind Regards,
Your Sister, Mrs. Renate Settnik

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