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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: "Mrs. Violet Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsvioletw1@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2017 22:23:48 +0100
Subject: Dear beloved friend,

My Dear beloved,

May the greetings of Lord be with you, please I am writing this mail to
you with tears and sorrow to seek for your assistance, my name is Mrs.
Violet Williams, I have been suffering from ovarian cancer disease and my
doctor says that I have just few days to leave. I am 63 years old from
France, but based in United Kingdom.

I was married to Late Sir. Donald Williams, who was a contractor with the
Government of United Kingdom before he died after few days in the
hospital. May his soul rest in peace Amen. I am a business woman dealing
with cocoa exportation When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum
of ($7.5 Million Dollars) with One of the Bank Hear. Presently this money
is still in the custody of the Bank. My Doctor told me that it is very
likely I will die within few days or months due to A Blood cancer
{LEUKEMIA}. I have decided to donate the money for charity to you since I
do not have a child to inherit it and its better I do not die leaving the
money here without it reaching to the poor and the less privileged ones in
the society.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall tell the Bank to transfer the
money to you.
Please always pray for me and let God give me more Good health to stay in
this World. Please always pray for me, by Friday, I will be going for a
heart operation, I was touched in spirit while praying last night and
Almighty God Directed me to donate this money to you, as Priests to use it
for the good work of God. Please reply soon for better explanation, I know
i have never met you but my mind tells me to do this with you and I hope
you will act sincerely.

God bless you and your family

Best Regards,
Mrs. Violet Williams

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