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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: Anniken Aksel <akselanniken@gmail.com>
Reply-To: annikenaksel@outlook.com
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2021 05:49:28 +0100
Subject: Can I Trust You?

Beloved in Christ,
You are richly blessed through God who strengthens us as you show
compassion for humanity. Pardon my manner of approach for the fact
that we do not know.
I believe God Almighty directed me to you after fervent prayer.
I'm Anniken Aksel. I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and I
am currently undergoing treatment.
You seem like a nice person with a good heart and as such I won't
hesitate to tell you my story in brief, and what I need you to do for
humanity.
All is well even though I have a few weeks to die because I know the
God I serve.
Life sometimes is miserable and, in some cases, we do not get what we
want out of life.
You must be grateful to our good Lord who has blessed you with a good
life. As for me, I am not as lucky as you.
I have been in hospital for over 1 year receiving treatment for cancer
and waiting until God calls me. I'm now in a home for the elderly
since I couldn't meet up with the medical bills.
My doctor gave the bad news about my death last year. I won't be alive
in a few weeks’ time as a result of esophageal cancer.
I'm one of those good ones who have passion for the orphans and the
less privileged and for God to take me now means He has done what He
thinks is the best. Can we question God? Let his be done.
You will use my inheritance fund (3.5 Million dollars) in a manner
that will put a smile on the faces of the poor orphans and the less
privileged in your country and as you do this my soul will rest in
peace. You shall have 5% of the total fund for all your efforts.
But if you know you aren't going to be trusted with my inheritance
fund, please do not bother to contact me because conscience is an open
wound and it is the only truth that can heal it. Please pray over this
before making a decision.
My late husband, a faithful man for the love he has for me, left me
this inheritance but of what use are they to a dying woman like me. I
have no child to inherit this inheritance and my wicked in-laws are
not helping matters.
I pray you don't go through what I have gone through. Dear one, if you
can be trusted with my inheritance, I am ready to allow you gain
access to them but you will have to build a foundation in memory of me
and my beloved husband whom I am happy to meet very, very soon in
heaven.
Thanks.
Anniken Aksel.

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