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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 Esther Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsesther.sonjohn@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:32:36 -0700
Subject: RE: VERY URGENT

Dear Friend in Christ
 
 
Hello My name is Mrs Esther Johnson from Switzerland. But now undergoing medical treatment in India. I am married to Dr. Davis Johnson who worked With  Switzerland Embassy in the UK for Nine years before he died on December 20th  2022.We were married for eleven years without a child.
 
 
He died after a brief illness that lasted for only one week. Before his death we were both born again Christians. Since his death 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 $5.6 (Five Million Six hundred thousand U.S.Dollars) with Lloyds Bank UK Presently in the United Kingdom. Just last week, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next one months due to cancer. Having known my condition I decided to donate this Fund to you as a better 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 fund for a Non-Governmental Foundation, orphanages, Old people homes and to propagate the word of God and to ensure that the house of God is maintained.
 
 
I took this decision because I don't have any child That will inherit this money and my husband's relatives Are not Christians and I don't want my husband's hard Earned money to be misused by unbelievers, Hence the reason for taking this bold Decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. I don't need any telephone Communication in this regard because of my health, and Because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me always.
 
 
I do not want them to know about this Development. As soon As I receive your reply I shall give you the contact Of my lawyer who will help you effect the changes to your name as the original-beneficiary of this fund.
 
 
I want you and the church to always pray for me because the lord is my shepherd. My happiness is that I lived the life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that wants to serve the Lord Must serve him in spirit and truth.
 
 
Please always be Prayerful all through your life. Any delay in your reply will give me room in Sourcing for a  church or christian organization for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein. Hoping to hear from you.
 
 
Thanks and God bless you.
Mrs Esther Johnson
Max Super speciality Hospital
India

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