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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. Eleonor shepherd" <heameedshahul@gmail.com>
Reply-To: elenoorsh@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2023 11:07:46 +0100
Subject: Funds Payment

I am Mrs. Eleonor shepherd now undergoing medical treatment. I am
married to Dr. shepherd, worked with the German Embassy in Benin
republic before he died in the year 2006. We were married for eleven
years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for
only four days. Before his death we were both born again Christians. I
decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial
home,which the Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he
deposited the sum of US$14,900,000.00 with a Bank in West Africa, this
money is still with the Bank.

Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not Last for the next three
months due to cancer and what disturbs me most is my stroke. Having
known my condition I decided to donate this fund to church or better
still a Christian individual that will utilize this money the way I am
going to instruct here in. I want a church or individual that will use
this money to fund churches, orphanages and widows propagating the
word Of God and to ensure that the house of God is maintained. The
Bible made us understand that blessed is the hand that giveth. I took
this decision because I don’t have any child that will inherit this
money.

I cannot rely on family and closest relatives any more, as they did
not show responsible behavior when I entrusted part of my wealth to
them to distribute to charitable organizations but instead used the
money for their personal needs. To prevent any more mishaps, my
attorney will act as a check, monitoring every aspect of the Charity
organizations, and to ensure all the integral and necessary
document/documentations. I sincerely request for your assistance in
this humanitarian work. I want the bank to transfer the fund to your
bank account so that you will use 80% of the fund to help the
following people:

1, Motherless babies.
2, Widows.
3, Disable people.
4, Cancer patience.

The 20% of the fund is for you and your family, if you will accept to
do this humanitarian work. You 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 assure me that you will use
the 80% of the money for the said purpose. Reply to me urgently if you
are interested in this transaction because any delay to your response
will give me room to look for another reliable person for the same
purpose, hoping to hear from you. Whatever the case might be, just put
me in prayers at all times.

May the almighty God bless you.
Reply me Back at: eleonorrshepherd0170@gmail.com
Get back to me for more details

Sincerely,
Mrs. Eleonor shepherd
...

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