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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: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:21:55 -0800 (PST)
Subject: GOD BLESS U


With warm hearts I offer my friendship, and my greetings, and I hope this l=
etter meets you in good time. It will be surprising to you to receive this =
proposal from me since you do not know me personally. However, I am sincere=
ly=20
seeking your confidence in this transaction, which I propose with my free m=
ind and as a person of integrity from God. My name is Mrs. Sarah Hook. from=
US. I am married to Dr james Hook who worked with the US Embassy in South =
Africa for nine years, Before he died in 2003.
We were married for eleven years without a child.He died after a brief illn=
ess that lasted for four days. Before his death we were both born again chr=
istains.Since his death i decided not to remarry or get a child outside my =
matrimonial home which the Bible spoke against.When my husband was alife, h=
e deposited the sum of $22million US dollars [twenty two million US dollars=
] with a finance company in Europe. Presently, this money is still with the=
=A0 security company in europe. Resently my doctor told me that it will tak=
e the grace of GOD for me to live one year more due to cancer problems.
Though what disturbs me mostly is my stroke. Having known my condition, I d=
ecided to donate this fund to church or still a christain individual that w=
ill use this to fund churches, orphanages and widows and also propagating t=
he word of God and to ensure that the house of God is maintained.
The Bible made us to understand that blessed are the hands that giveth. I t=
ook this decision because I don`t have any child that will inherit this mon=
ey and my husband's relatives are not christains and I don`t want my husban=
d hard-earned money to be misused .I don`t want a situation whereby this mo=
ney will be used in an ungodly manner, hence that's the reason for taking t=
his bold decision. I am not afraid of death hence i know where i am going.
I know that am going to be in the bossom of the Lord. Exodus 14vs14 says th=
at the Lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace. I can only commun=
ication with you via email because of my health, I cant always call you bec=
ause of my health and my inlaws around me but I will always try if chance p=
ermits me. I don`t want them to know about these development.
Although I can do all things through christ that empowers me. As soon as I =
recieve your reply, i shall give you the contacts of my lawyer because he i=
s undergoing a seminal research in UK.He will give you the contact of the s=
ecurity company in Europe.He will also fax to you all the deposit document =
and a letter of authority that will enpower you as the original- Beneficiar=
y of this fund. I want you and the church to always pray for me.
My happiness is that im living a life of a worthy christain, whoever that w=
ants to serve the Lord must serve Him in spirit and truth. Please always be=
prayerful all through your life.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Best regards,
Mrs Sarah Hook
=0A=0A=0A

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