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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Vm.massimo6574 <Vm.massimo6574@indigocompany.tn>
Reply-To: "revwilliamsjohn4@gmail.com" <revwilliamsjohn4@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2019 22:58:49 +0000
Subject: Rev John Williams


Dear Friend,

I am sending you this mail in good faith. I'm Rev John Williams, From Belgium currently undergoing medical treatment for cancer. I received a message from God to donate the sum of £8 Million Pounds to you for the good work of God, I have an account with a financial institution in Europe where I deposited my assets worth (£8,000,000) for a fixed period, I have just been informed by my doctor that I only have few months to live due to the cancer illness. Having known my condition that will not allow me to claim the funds personally; I have decided to nominate you as my beneficiary since the financial institution have now written me that the length of time agreed upon to hold my funds is now expired. My desire and purpose are for you to promote humanitarian works. I.e. assisting the less privileged. Please contact me for details information on this noble project of mine.

Regards,
Rev John Williams.

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