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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: Teresa Michael <gracemightyglobal@gmail.com>
Reply-To: surugabanaomi6@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2022 18:07:09 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION

My Dearest,

First, let me start by introducing myself. My name is Mrs. Teresa
Michael, . I am married to late Mr.Stephen Michael and we were married
for twenty years with a child. He died after an illness that lasted
for four weeks. Please know this may come to you by surprise, i know
that you do not know me, but i need your assistance hence i am writing
to you as my will directed me, and it is my desire to go into this
business / relationship with you.

When my late husband was alive we deposited the sum of USD$15 .5M
(Fifteen Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S.Dollars) Islamic Bank Based
in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Though i assisted him in getting
this contract for this deposit signed. I am afraid that the government
of UAE might start to investigate contracts. This money is still with
the bank. Recently my Doctor told me that I would not last for the
next three months due to my cancer problem, though what disturbs me
most is my stroke, Having to know my condition I want to invest this
money into any profitable business of your choice, whatever
interest/profit that will come out from this investment of your choice
will be shared by both parties.

I have a child that will inherit this money but my son cannot carry
out this work by himself, my son is just 15 year old now and growing
up and handling this huge amount of money will certainly be a disaster
for a fifteen year old, He is not mature yet. Hence this the reason
for taking this bold decision in contacting you. I am not afraid of
death as I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. I
would like you to understand that my contact to you is by my own free
will, and as soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact
of the Islamic Bank. I will also issue you a letter of authority that
will empower you as the new beneficiary of this fund through my
attorney. My happiness is that I will be living something worthy for
my son whom I will be living behind. Any delay in your reply will give
me room in sourcing for an individual for this same purpose. Please
assure me that you will act accordingly as i stated here and i will
like you to contact me immediately you receive this mail so that i
will instruct the Islamic Bank to! Transfer this fund into your
account.

My Regards to your Family,
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs. Teresa Michael

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