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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 Rita Mesah <mrsritamesah1@cantv.net>
Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:52:59 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Apostolic Greetings From Mrs Rita Mesah


Dearest In Christ Jesus,  
 
I know that this mail will be a great surprise to you, but i will highly appreciate to have your positive respond.  I am Mrs Rita Mesah, a 62 years old woman from Qatar.  I am married to Engr. Frank Mesah, who was the Chief Executive Director of an Oil and Gas producing Company here in Cote D' Ivoire for sixteen years before he died in the year 2007.
 
I and my beloved late husband were married for twenty two years with-out a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his sudden  death, we were both born again Christian. Since his death I decided not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against.
 
When my late husband was alive, he deposited a Metalic Trunk Box containing the total sum of $4.7Million (Four Million Seven Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars) in a Security Company here in Abidjan Cote D' Ivoire, and for the safety of the money he  comorflaged before the security company officials that the content of the trunk box are treasures and family valuables.
  
Recently, my Doctor told me that i have serious sickness which is cancer problem, and  having known my condition now, I have decided to donate this fund to a church or an individual that will utilize this fund for the helping of the orphanages homes, widows, and propagating the word of God.
 
The Bible made us to understand that, Blessed is the hand that giveth. And each one should use whatever gift he has recieved from God to serve others,1 peter 4:10. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and I don't want my husband's efforts to be in vain. I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly way. 
  
This is why I am taking this 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. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace and  With God all things are possible.
 
As soon as I receive your reply in acceptance to work according to my instructions herein, I shall give you the contact of the Security Company  where my late husband deposited the trunk box containing the whole fund here in Cote D' Ivoire. I want you and the church to always pray for me, because the lord is my shephard. My happiness today is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that Wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and Truth.
 
Always be prayerful all through your life. Get back to me as soon as possible for more information, and any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another church or individual for the same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein.
 
I am hoping to receive your urgent reply in acceptance to work according to my instructions herein, and i pray you remain blessed in the Lord.
  
  Yours Sincerely in Christ, 
         Mrs Rita Mesah.

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