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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: "Mrs. Celen Harry" <harrymrscelen@yahoo.com.vn>
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 09:39:21 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: My Dear Sharon Contact My Pastor Now.


My dear Sharon,
 
It is my pleasure to reach you after your unsuccessful attempt on the receiving of my late husband's funds. Well, I just want to use this medium to thank you very much for your earlier assistance to help me in receiving the funds, without any positive outcome.
 
I am obliged to inform you that I have succeeded in receiving the funds with the help of a new partner from Paraguay Mr. Fernando Alvaro Gomez. Everything was perfectly done with one of the Lady Accountant who works with the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF), and she rendered a tremendous help to us.  The most important thing is the wonder God did in my life by healing me, i have fate and my fate set me free, please follow me and thank God.
 
In appreciation of your earlier assistance to me in receiving the funds, I have decided to compensate you with the sum of ($950,000.00) in a Cashier’s cheque. I did this simply to show appreciation to you for your kind support and assistance even though we could not succeed due to some unforeseen circumstances and reason.
 
Presently, I am in Haiti for humanitarians work as my late husband wished. Mean while, I didn't forget you’re past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring the funds despite the fact that we could not succeed.
 
In the light of the above, you are therefore, to contact my Church Pastor,Pst.Emmanuel Oye in Benin West Africa, Pst.Emmanuel Oye through his email address :( emmanuel_oye@hotmail.com ) to send the cashier cheque to you.  I will be sending you e-mail from time to time to know if you have received the cashier cheque.
 
Thanks and God bless us all.
 
Have a nice day and God bless you.
 
Mrs.Celen Harry.

Anti-fraud resources: