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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: Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler-Thumann <pp356685@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ritarichard2001@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 14 May 2022 05:32:45 -0700
Subject: Hello Dear

Hello,

Thank you for the prompt response, please don't be bothered as to why
you have been contacted for this and its genuineness as I have done so
from a pure motive, I am Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler-Thumann 80 years
old, a German citizen, wife of late Georg W Schaeffler, you can see
here: ( forbes.com/profile/maria-elisabeth-schaeffler), view this link
to read more about me and my family profile.

The intention of this email is to be of immense blessing to people
around the world. I am currently in Abuja, Nigeria doing some Charity
Projects by building 20 Schools and 10 Hospitals and finally 10
Orphanage Homes during this trying time of COVID-19 pandemic.

With my age, I cannot continue to amass wealth without giving out. I
own a net-worth of over $2.5 Billion. My only son Georg is so well to
do and worth well over $15 Billion. I have not very much to spend
money on, so I am indulging myself with such an act that will be
considered a blessing to others. It is my hope that as you receive
this money it would be of great use to you and that you can also
assist others from it.

As I send this message to you, I also sent to others too, I sent to
churches, Mosques, Orphanages, and individuals, each bonafide
beneficiary will receive a Freewill Donation of $1.8 Million Dollar
each from me.

All this being said, if you know you are ready to receive your
donation funds of $1.8 Million Dollars. Kindly confirm readiness by
formally introducing yourself in detail as listed below.

*Full Name:*
*Country:*
*Age:*
*Sex:*
*Phone Number:*

Thereafter, I shall grant a letter of authorization to my account
officer in charge of my donation funds to enable him release the
donation funds of $1.8 Million Dollar to you. Please my Friend, this
is my personal wealth. It doesn't need many formal procedures, and for
the sake that it might seem too easy for you to receive this gift, I
would crave your indulgence not to refer any person whatsoever to me
so that I can have my peace. I am doing this as a free-spirit gift and
I made the contact myself to you, therefore, I would if I would give
more to contact the persons myself. PLEASE do not refer any person and
do not make a public/media show of this as I would not like any
publicity of any sort.

I will wait for your email to do further. Stay blessed.
Mrs Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler
Co Owner Schaeffler Group

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