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:
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- louisesimon201@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: LOUISE SIMON <oneill5@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: LOUISE SIMON <louisesimon201@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 12:03:17 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: THIS IS NOT SPAM MESSAGE IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO READ THIS
PROJTECT MY UNFINISHED ESTATE BUT THE FUND IS AVALIABLE TO FINISH IT

Â Dearest Beloved,

I am Ms Louise Simon , 65 years old Woman , no kid am window from Switzerland, my late husband was a Gold Merchant We have a foundation/Estate uncompleted project before the dead of my husband. I needed somebody to help me finish this project due to my unstable health Condition am not able to continue the project, money is available to finish the project. As i speaking with you now am at the hospital under going treatment i just need honest and God fearing person to handle this project Sincerely .

Please get back to me for more information's on this Project if you are willing to help me out get back to me through my email for more details (louisesimon201@gmail.com ) or add me on whatsApp if you have whatsApp on your phone here is my WhatsApp Number+41-78-965-2183 You can add me on on WhatsApp due to the nature of my sickness i can't speak now . God Bless you and your family . You will never face difficulties in your life and God will always protect you from the evil things . Have a Blessed day . I pray that you will never loss in life . to loss someone you love is a big problem , to loss in business or financial crisesÂ also is painful you will never loss anything from the both in your life March Shall follow you and your family till entire of your life AMEN
Â
Yours Mother from Switzerland ,
Ms Louise Simon
Here is my Switzerland number +41-78-965-2183 you can only add me on WhatsApp

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam