419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "calvary greetings" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447024042735 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Amanda Jacob" <info@amanda.com>
Reply-To: barr_carteranderson@live.co.uk
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:11:36 +0200
Subject: Please contact Barr.Carter Anderson via
(barr_carteranderson@live.co.uk)

Dearest Calvary Greetings,

With Due Respect And Humanity.I was compelled to write to you under
humanitarian grounds. My name is Mrs Amanda Jacob.
I was born in Liverpool, England, I am married to Mr. Amos Jacob director
J.C Industries United Kingdom. We were married for 36 years without a
child. He died four years ago after a Cardiac Arteries Operation.

And Recently, My Doctor told me that I would not live for the next six
months due to my cancer problem (cancer of the liver and stroke)
Before my husband died there is this sum Â£14.258(Fourteen Million Two
Hundred and Fifty Eight Great British Pounds) that he deposited with a
Bank in London, United Kingdom.
Presently this money is still in the Bank custody. Having known my
condition I have decided to donate this fund to any good God fearing
brother or sister that will utilize this fund the way I am going to
instruct herein. I want somebody that will use this fund according to the
desire of my late. husband to help Less privileged people, orphanages,
widows and propagating the word of
God. I also want part or this fund to be donated to any humanitarian
Organization presently in Haiti.

I took this decision because I would be going in for Surgery later today.I
don't have any child that will inherit this fund, And I don't want this
money used in an un Godly way. This is why I am taking this decision to
hand over to you this Fund. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I
am going. I want you to always remember me in your daily prayers because
of my up coming Cancer Surgery later today.

You are to work with my attorney who will assist in these funds transfer
to your account and how the funds is to be used for the good work of the
Lord Almighty.

Contact my lawyer with this info:
Clifford Chance Solicitors
10 Upper Bank Street London
E14 5JJ United Kingdom
Name: Barrister.Carter Anderson
Email: barr_carteranderson@live.co.uk
Tell:+44-702-404-2735

If you find this mail appealing, kindly contact my attorney by quoting
this reference number to him JJ/MMS/953/5015/GwrI/316us/Uk . I write this
mail to you solemnly with the faith that you will assist me in my last
wish. As soon as you contact him with the reference number above, he
should be able to identify you.

Best regards,
Mrs.Amanda Jacob

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