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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: Sun, 22 May 2022 12:16:11 +0000
Subject: Greetings to you and your family


Hello Dear,
=C2=A0
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 Africa and South America, he died in
a work related accident. Our marriage of many years couldn=E2=80=99t produc=
e 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 Africa and London-United Kingdom. After the doctor=E2=80=99s medica=
l
pronunciation that I have just few months to live, I decided to share my
wealth to contribute to your country and to Africa and South America 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.
=C2=A0
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 Australia soon. But before then I will 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, 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.
=C2=A0
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.
=C2=A0
God bless you
Mrs. Magaret Wilson

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