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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. PAULINA THOMAS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <th.paulina86@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2018 14:06:00 -0700
Subject: Dearrest one,

Dearrest one,
 
It is my pleasure to write to you after considering your profile My
name is MRS. PAULINA THOMAS a nationality of Kuwait. I am married to
MR.THOMAS WALTERS who worked with Malaysian oil company for nine years
before he died in the year 2006. We were married for eleven years
without a child, he died after a brief illness that lasted for only
four days. Before his death we were both born again Christians. When
my late husband was alive we deposited the sum of $8.3 Million (Eight
Million three hundred thousand U.S. Dollars) with a BANK, Presently,
this money is still with the bank. Recently, my Doctor told me that I
would not last for the next three months due to cancer problem. Though
what disturbs me most is my stroke. Having known my condition I
decided to donate this fund to church or better still a Christian
individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct
herein. I want a church that will use this fund
to;churches,orphanages, Research centers and widows propagating to the
word of god and to ensure that the house of god is maintained.
 
Whoever that wants to serve the lord must serve him in spirit and
truth. Please always be prayerful all through your life. Any delay in
your reply will give me room in sourcing for a church or Christian
individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act
accordingly as I stated herein.
 
Hoping to hearing from you soon.
Remain blessed in the name of the lord.
Yours-in-Christ,
 
MRS. PAULINA THOMAS

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