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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 Josefine John Carlsen <josefine.johncarlsen@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2023 11:50:51 +0000
Subject: My Dearest,

I sent this mail praying it will found you in a good condition of
health, since I myself are in a very critical health condition in which I
sleep every night without knowing if I may be alive to see the next day. I
am Mrs. Josefine John Carlsen from Denmark wife of late Mr John Carlsen, a
widow suffering from long time illness. I have some funds I inherited from
my late husband, the sum of (Eleven Million Dollars) my Doctor told me
recently that I have serious sickness which is cancer problem. What
disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition, I
decided to donate this fund to a good person that will utilize it the way i
am going to instruct herein. I need a very honest and God fearing person
who can claim this money and use it for Charity works, for orphanages,
widows and also build schools for less privileges that will be named after
my late husband if possible and to promote the word of God and the effort
that the house of God is maintained.

I do not want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly
manner. That's why I'm taking this decision. I'm not afraid of death, so I
know where I'm going. I accept this decision because I do not have any
child who will inherit this money after I die. Please I want your sincerely
and urgent answer to know if you will be able to execute this project, and
I will give you more information on how the fund will be transferred to
your bank account. I am waiting for your reply.

May God Bless you,
Mrs. Josefine John Carlsen

Anti-fraud resources: