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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. Alaniz Maria" <cfo@gofba.com>
Reply-To: <tanliong447@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2018 21:27:34 -0700
Subject: PLEASE READ G

Alaniz Daena Maria <loginsemails@gmail.com>
       
8:40 AM (2 minutes ago)
       
to me
 
Dear Beloved,
 
My Name is Alaniz Maria, am looking for a dedicated Christian. I’m 59 years old Born and raised in Dallas Texas, USA, but I'm from Canada, I've lived my entire life in the United States. Last year, I experience restless and sleepless nights. So my doctor in New York sent me to a general medical checkup at Methodist Hospital.
 
 
I need someone that I can trust with a charity work. I have been diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer of the Lungs according to my Doctor I will die any moment. I have been badly treated by close associates. I  am a repented Christian now and God has put it in my mind to give out the sum of US$5.6M which my late my husband left me to Charity work.
 
 
We do not have any child. As a Christian, I rather donate my money to smaller privileges, orphanage and church than to let ungodly people take everything when I die. I don't trust my husband brothers due to
 
Their wickedness, they want me dead so they would inherit all my wealth. I want you to distribute these Funds to people that need it.
 
 
God has really blessed me with fortunes. I will wait for your Response before I go ahead and inform my Lawyer about your intentions.
 
 
May The Good Lord I serve Bless You richly and guard you even as you agreed to help in giving out this fund to the needy.
 
 
Regards,
 
Mrs. Alaniz Maria
 
Email: alnizmaria@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: