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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: Marica <valmaricaval@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2023 23:40:51 -0700
Subject: Greetings beloved in the Lord

It is my pleasure to communicate with you, I am Mrs. Villavicen Marcia . I
am a 64year old American woman. I know that this message will be a surprise
to you. I was married to the late Mr. Moor Williams of blessed memory, my
late husband died of Cardiovascular Disease in mid-March 2017.

Now I am affected with cancer of the lung and breast with a partial stroke
which has affected my speech. I can no longer talk well and half of my body
is paralyzed, I sent this email to you with the help of my private female
nurse.

My late beloved husband was a gold merchant and owns lots of Businesses in
the US and UK. Before he died, he made an insurance deposit of
(US$6,000,000.00, Six Million Dollars) with my name as the next of kin.

My condition is really deteriorating day by day and it is really giving me
lots to think about. This has prompted my decision to donate all I have
for charity.

I want you to build an Orphanage home with my name (Mrs. Marcia Villavicen)
in your country. If you are willing and able to do this task for the sake
of humanity then send me below information for more details on how you will
receive the funds.

1. Name...................................................

2. Phone number...............................

3. Address.............................................

4. Country of Origin and residence

Regards Mrs. Villavicen Marcia

Anti-fraud resources: