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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 josea walter" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsjosea_walter@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:13:11 -0800
Subject: Dearest Beloved In Christ

Dearest Beloved In Christ,
 
I don't really know who you are, but peace is unto you as you read
this letter. My Instinct tells me that I can trust you by my
proposition.
 
I got your contact through Internet directory and My Instinct directed
me to send this money to you.
 
I am a widow and a devoted Christian, my name is Mrs.JOSEA WALTER from
UNITED STATES. Since my husband died, I have been suffering from
arthritics and lately doctors have diagnosed me with terminal
cancer,which left me with approximately twelve months to live. I am
currently on wheelchair and being looked after by a nurse and some of
my late husband relatives in turns.
 
Before my husband died, he left some money to the tone of $5.2m United
State Dollars (Five million, Two hundred thousand dollars) and he made
me promised him that it should be used for humanitarian work, because
we have no children and he don't want his brothers to lay hand on it,
since they don't believe in God, they have a different vision.
 
This money is currently in a vault with a bank. If you will
promise me that you will use this money to achieve the wish of my
husband and me, then I will instruct the bank to release the content
of the vault in your name.
 
God bless you as you walk in the light and glory. You can reach me
though my private email  mrsjosea_walter@yahoo.com
 
Yours in Vineyard,
Mrs.JOSEA WALTER

Anti-fraud resources: