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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: Janet Wilson <janetwilson11234@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrs.janetwilson@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 12:32:38 +0100
Subject: =?UTF-8?B?TXkgRG9uYXRpb24g4oKsNCwwMDAsMDAwICw=?=

My Dear Friend

It is understandable that you may be a bit apprehensive because you do
not know me, I am writing this mail to you with serious tears in my
eyes and great sorrow in my heart, I decided to contact you due to the
urgency of my situation. I want to tell you this because I don't have
any other option than to tell you as I was touched to open up to you.

I am a widow because i lost my husband 9years ago, we were married for
eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that
lasted for couple of weeks. When my late husband was alive he
deposited the sum of (€4,000,000)with one of the banks here in Benin,
because we earlier had plans of having a charity firm.

Meanwhile, recently, My Doctor told me that I would not last, that i
have couple of weeks to live due to Brain tumor/cancer problem. The
one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my
condition I decided to hand you over this mission to take care of the
less-privileged, you will utilize this money the way I am going to
instruct herein. I want you to take 20% of the total money for your
personal and family use While 80% of the money will go to charity
work" helping people in the street.

Because I grew up as an Orphan and I don't have anybody as my family
member. As soon as I receive your reply I shall link you up with the
bank.Please kindly contact me back with the following information:
Your last name and first name, your exact address and your
mobile/house/office telephone contact, and an identification Card such
as drivers license or international passport data page so I can
forward them to my bank and have you present to the bank as the next
person in charge of this fund, so that if i die anytime, the situation
will not be complicated.

I count on your goodwill and especially on the proper use of these funds.
Please reply me through my email address.
Email: mrs.janetwilson@hotmail.com

Yours Sincerely
Mrs.Janet WILSON

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