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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 Salem Vivian <viviansalem343@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2023 00:30:31 -0700
Subject: GOOD DAY

My dearly beloved,

May the blessings and peace of God be with you and your family.


I am sure this mail will be coming to you as a bite of a surprise
since we have never meet before and you may also be asking yourself
why I have decided to choose you amongst the numerous internet users
in the world, precisely I cannot say why I have chosen you but do not
be alarmed for I mean no harm.

My name is Mrs. Vivian Salem, wife of late Salem Nasim in Iraq, four
ten ago, I lost my husband Nasim and three children - Husam, 15 years
old , Wasim, 12 years old and Merna, 6years old, this happened when
American tank shelled our car as the family attempted to flee heavy
fighting in Baghdad
View the Website below for detailed story of how I lost my family.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/04/vivians_story/html/1.stm




Before my husband and children were killed, he deposited the sum of
$10. million (Ten Million Dollars) in a bank. My Doctor told me that I
would not last for the next three months due to illness.
Having known my condition I decided to donate this funds to a better
still God fearing individual that will utilize this money the way I am
going to instruct herein. I want an individual that will use this fund
for orphanages and humanity work.

I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit
this money and my husband's relatives are not and I don't want my
husbands hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers. I don't want
a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner. As
soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank.
I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as
the original- beneficiary of this fund.

Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein.
This must be kept confidential from eyes and ears of my husband's
family. Hoping to hear from you.
Thanks,

Mrs. Vivian Salem

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