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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: Stella Luz Castillo <stellacastillox1@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2020 16:53:07 -0800
Subject: Help the Poor

Hello

The project for the poor.

I know this letter will definitely come to you as a huge surprise, but
I implore you to take the time to go through it carefully as the
decision you make will go a long way to determine my future and
continued existence. i contact you based on the good work you are
doing, this money will help you to do more. I am Mrs. Luz Stella
Castillo, an aging widow to the late Castillo Taborda and currently I
was diagnosed of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer) but what disturbs me
most now is the diagnosis of Kidney Stone 3 days ago.

I have some inherited funds and Gold (100kilos) from my late husband
,the sum of US$8.2million dollars and I need a very honest and God
fearing Person who can invest the funds and claim this Gold, in a good
profitable choice of business and use the profit incomes for support
of Charity and for non-privilege, displaced persons, Note that we have
no child to inherit the fortunes before his demise.

I contacted you after long prayers for GOD to show me a honest and
reliable person that can fulfill our dreams by investing the funds and
using the profits according to my desire and I decided to contact you
to handle these trust funds in good faith before anything happens to
me during my surgery which comes up soon.

I am desperately in need of such service and I have summoned up
courage to contact you for this task, you must not fail me and the
millions of the poor people in our today's WORLD. This is not a stolen
money and there are no dangers involved, 100% RISK FREE with full
legal proof.

Kindly notify me of your willingness to partake in this noble
assignment for the poor.
Kindly let me know immediately.

Warmest Regards,
Mrs. Luz Stella Castillo

Anti-fraud resources: