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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: Lia Dowling <morris.anny36@gmail.com>
Reply-To: liadowling@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2013 11:34:57 +0000
Subject: Re:

Hello my beloved one.

I greet you with the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; it is true that
this letter may come to you as a surprise. However, I humbly ask you
to give me your attention and hear me well. My name is Mrs. Lia
Dowling from Australia. I am married to Dr.Frank Dowling, who worked
with our Embassy in Togo (Togo) for 9 years before he died. We have
been married for 9 years without a child before he died after a short
illness. After his death I decided not to remarry because of my
religious beliefs.
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of U.S. $ 10
million (ten million United State
Dollars) in a bank in Togo. Currently, this money is still in the
custody of a bank in Togo. Recently, my doctor told me that I would
not last for the next four months due to illness of cancer. Having
known my condition I decided to donate this money to the church,
organization or good person that will utilize this money the way I am
going to instruct him or her here, I want to use this money to
churches, charities, orphanages, widows and other people that are
needs.
I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit
this money. Moreover, my husband relatives are not close to me since I
have cancer problem, and it was their desire to see me dead in order
to inherit his wealth since we have no children. These people are not
worthy of this inheritance. That is why I am taking this decision I do
not need any telephone communication in this regard because of my ill
health. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact
of the bank where the money is deposited.
I will also issue a power of attorney to the bank that will prove you
the present beneficiary of this money. I also want you to always put
me in prayer any delay in your reply may give me room to look for
another good person for this same purpose. Please assure me that you
will act accordingly as I stated above.
Hoping to get an answer as soon as possible. Here contact me through
my private box. (liadowling@yahoo.com)
Thanks and remain blessed.
Your sister in the Lord,
Lia Dowling ...

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