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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: Magaret Wilson <magaretw848@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2022 17:20:38 +0000
Subject: Greetings to you and your family


Hello Dear,

I am Mrs. Magaret Wilson, from Australia, lived in South Africa for
17years and currently residing in London United Kingdom, a widow to late
Dr. Barry Wilson. I am 69 years old and presently suffering from
Leukaemia. My health condition has gotten worse and just two weeks ago
my doctor informed me that my condition has reach a critical stage, and
that I have just 3 months left. This confirmation from my doctor was and
still is devastating news; it is hard to know that you have just a
little time left to live here. My late husband was a contractor in both
South Africa and London, he died in a work related freak accident. Our
marriage of many years couldn’t produce any offspring because of my
husband infertility issues. My late husband was very wealthy and after
his death, I inherited all his businesses and wealth both in South
Africa and London-United Kingdom. After the doctor’s medical
pronunciation that I have just few months to live, I decided to share my
wealth to contribute to your country and Africa where my late husband as
a contractor made lots of money. I want to assist you with the funds to
do great charity works in your country, this is my last wish. I selected
you after searching few websites; I prayed and was led to you through my
instinct.

I am willing to donate the sum of Three Million, Two Hundred thousand
United States Dollars (USD$3,200,000.00) to the less privileged in your
country under your supervision. Please I want to transfer this money to
you as I am travelling to South Africa soonest to have my lawyer amend
my WILL. If you can handle this fund and very sure to do charity works
on my behalf then I will include your name in my WILL when I arrive in
South Africa, and from there I will travel to Australia to meet a
specialist as I want to be buried alongside my late husband when I
passed on. Note that this fund is in the financial institution and upon
my instruction; I will file in an application through my family attorney
for the transfer of the money into your account for the said purpose.
Lastly, I honestly pray that this money when transferred will be used
for the said purpose even though I might be late then. I have come to
find out that wealth is vanity and I made a promise to God that my
wealth will be used to support the poor and assist the sick. Do let me
know if you will be able to handle this fund and use it for the said
purpose so that I will inform my attorney and my bank on my decision.

God bless you
Mrs. Magaret Wilson


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