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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: "Mr. William G. Billington" <info@insidevisions.com>
Reply-To: williambillington1965@rogers.com
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2014 19:22:26 -0400
Subject: Re: WillBill Charity Projects

Good day,

I apologize if my email startled you. I quite understand you wondering as to why I chose you out of millions of people I found on the web. However, I am confident about you and I have prayed over this asking God to give me the wisdom on how to distribute this fund in different dimension in helping the needy and the less privileged. The bequest fund in question is to be used to help homes for motherless babies, helping the old, widows, widowers and also setting up a foundation in my name to the best of your capability. These are my desire and purpose I want you to use the fund for and I know that the good lord we serve will surely see you through and empower you with his grace to be able to carry out this great assignment.

The good lord has directed my Spirit through your path and that is the reason for our communication today. I am a British Citizen who was an oil veteran and acquired a lot of wealth. I no longer feel safe dealing with close friends, relatives, neighbors and loved ones as trust are often betrayed by people you least expected. I am presently undergoing medical treatment for cancer of the Lung and the doctors confirmed I have few months left to live. I was married without a child and my wife died after a brief illness in 2009, I have decided to be a blessing to the less privileged since the good Lord has placed it deep down my heart and most important of all, the promises made to my wife before her passing away to glory, may her gentle soul rest in perfect peace. All I require from you is your kind assistance to bring my last wish to perfection as I am unable to do so at this point in time since the doctor’s report has confirmed that I might not be in existence for more than few months if only there would be some sort of miracle, that is why I have come to you in peace and not in pieces to seek your assistance in bringing this project to completion in good faith as the Lord has placed it in your heart to respond back to my message.

I guarantee you of your safety and I’m willing to offer you 20% of the fund for your time, effort and endeavor in seeing this venture throughout it completion. I have also acquire the services of my local Lawyer here in the United Kingdom who will help acquire all the legal procedure in terms of needed documents in your name i.e. Affidavit /probate letters stating you as beneficiary, next of kin and sole executor to my estate fund (US$200 Million). This will then be put in a file and presented to the bank for verification and immediate action. You must keep this project very confidential. To begin this process, kindly send me your Full names, Full address, date of birth, Telephone/Fax numbers, Occupation and also any form of ID. As soon as I have them, I shall forward same to my attorney for legal documentations. With all sincerity, I urge you to please consider the fact that we have lots of Children or orphans out there who are leaders of tomorrow, who stand a better chance if given the opportunity but due to lack of welfare and finance, they are not able to fulfill their heart desire and reasons for coming into this world of vanity. As I write to you, my eyes are filled with tears and my heart overwhelmed joy knowing full well that I have lived a life worthy of his praise and glory for when I get to heaven, I shall rejoice in his tabernacle witnessing my last wish comes to perfection.

I look forward to hearing from you and may the Lord bless you abundantly as you respond back in good faith to join heads together to bring this project to completion.

Regards,
Mr. William G. Billington
11 Hebden Wilnecote,
Tamworth,
Staffordshire B77 4HP
United Kingdom

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