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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: blessing williams <blessingwilliams002@yahoo.ca>
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 04:43:16 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Donation


Home Address:
No 3A hassan Avenue
Assiyeye
Lome-Togo
West Africa

My Lordship,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am former Mrs Ego Williams, now Mrs Blessing Williams,a widow to Late Williams, I am 74years old, I am now a new Christian convert, suffering from long time cancer of the breast, from all indications my condition is really deteriorating and its quite obvious that I won't live more than six months according to my Doctors because the cancer stage has gotten to a very bad stage. My late husband was killed during the Gulf war, and during the period of our marriage we couldn't produce any child.

My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business and wealth. The doctor has advised me that I may not live for more than six months, so I now decided to divide part of this wealth, to contribute to the development of the church in Africa, America, Europe, Asia. My late husband has money in bank in Africa here in Lome Togo and I prayed over it, I am willing to donate the sum of $6 Million Us Dollars to churches for the development of church in your country and also for the less privileged. Please I want you to note that, this fund is laying in a bank in Africa upon my instruction, my lawyers will file in an application for the transfer of the money in the name of your company. For us to commence send me the following

YOUR FULL NAME
CONTACT ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER

Lastly I honestly pray that this money when transferred will be used for the said purpose,because I have come to find out that wealth acquisition without Christ is vanity upon vanity. Allieulia.If you have to die says the Lord, keep fit and I will give you the crown of life. Allieulia Allieulia. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. Hope you are a christian and I can trust you to use this 6 million and help churches in your country.

I await your urgent reply.
Yours in Christ
Mrs Blessing Williams



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam