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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: Laura Gates <iagada058@gmail.com>
Reply-To: laurag0959@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2021 18:28:01 +0000
Subject: Greetings my dear


Greetings my dear

This letter might be a surprise to you, But I believe that you will be
honest to fulfill my final wish. I bring peace and love to you. It is by
the grace of God, I had no choice than to do what is lawful and right in
the sight of God for eternal life and in the sight of man to witness God's
mercy and glory upon my life. My dear, I sent this mail praying it will
find you in a good condition, since I, myself, am in a very critical health
condition in which I sleep every night without knowing if I may be alive to
see the next day. I am Mrs. Laura Gates, a widow suffering from a long time
illness. I have some funds I inherited from my late husband, the sum of
($11,000,000.00, Eleven Million Dollars) my Doctor told me recently that I
have serious sickness which is a cancer problem. What disturbs me most is
my stroke sickness. Having known my condition, I decided to donate this
fund to a good person that will utilize it the way I am going to instruct
herein. I need a very honest and God fearing person who can claim this
money and use it for Charity works, for orphanages and give justice and
help to the poor, needy and widows says The Lord." Jeremiah 22:15-16.“ and
also build schools for less privilege that will be named after my late
husband if possible and to promote the word of God and the effort that the
house of God is maintained.

I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly
manner. That's why I'm making this decision. I'm not afraid of death, so I
know where I'm going. I accept this decision because I do not have any
child who will inherit this money after I die. Please I want your sincere
and urgent answer to know if you will be able to execute this project, and
I will give you more information on how the fund will be transferred to
your bank account. May the grace, peace, love and the truth in the Word of
God be with you and all those that you love and care for.

I am waiting for your reply.

May God Bless you,

Mrs. Laura Gates.

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