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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: rebecca thomas <rebeccathomas@jeeperr.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:54:16 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Hi From R. Thomas.


Hi From R. Thomas.
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am Mrs Rebecca Thomas, 39 years old widow & a new Christian convert, suffering from long time cancer of the blood (Leukaemia According to my doctor my condition is critical and I might not survive.

Although as a Christian, I believe in God and I know that I will not die, but will live to declare the glory of God. My late husband (Dr. Martins Thomas)and my only son were killed during the ABIDJAN-BOUAKE Crisis some years back(take a look) Our Lord Jesus Christ is my only comforter.

My husband and I are true Christians, but quite unfortunately, Since his death I decided not to re-marry, though my late husband made a deposit with a Bank here in Abidjan Capital city of Ivory Coast. Presently, this money is still in their custody, the entire cash left after his burial has blown like wind because of my illness and the management of the bank just wrote me as the next of kin to come further for the money though I have been there so many times before my illness but now that I can not continue going there.  The fund is presently deposited with a financial company for security reasons and all the documents concerning the fund are in the custody of my lawyer.

I inherited the money from my late husband who was an industrialist and international businessman. I have prayed concerning this donation for God's guidance and if in your heart you genuinely and faithfully desire-to use this fund for the propagation of God's work in any form whether for charity, ministry, evangelical work or otherwise in relation to God's work, do get me in- touch with me for further arrangements with my church pastor and Bank.

As soon as I hear from you I will give you the contact information’s of My church pastor for you to be familiar with him as he wills guild you for the success of this transfer since he is here present and because of my illness I will not be able to follow up things the way it should, so he will direct you more even if I die he will be here to carry out my last wish with you and will attach my personal passport in here for you to see me though it was picture taken before my illness, Am waiting for your urgent reply today.

Remain blessed in the Lord
Yours in Christ,
Sister Rebecca Thomas.
DIVINE CALL.

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