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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: "Mrs. Johanna Maaly Bob" <johannamaalybob01@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2022 05:35:25 +0000
Subject: Dear Beloved One,


Good Day Dearest,

Calvary Greetings in the name of the LORD Almighty and Our LORD JESUS
CHRIST the giver of every good thing. Good day, I am writing this mail to
you with serious tears in my eyes and great sorrow in my heart. Am
contacting you from my country Australia.

I am Mrs. Johanna Maaly Bob aging widow of 57 years old suffering from long
time illness Cancer. I have some funds I inherited from my late husband,
the sum of (US$8.5 Million Dollars) and I needed a very honest and God
fearing who can withdraw this money then use the funds for Charity works. I
WISH TO GIVE THESE FUNDS TO YOU FOR CHARITY WORKS. I found your email
address from the internet after honest prayers to the LORD to bring me a
helper and i decided to contact you if you may be willing and interested to
handle these trust funds in good faith before anything happens to me. I
accept this decision because I do not have any child who will inherit this
money after I die. I want your urgent reply to me so that I will give you
the deposit receipt which the COMPANY issued to me as next of kin for
immediate transfer of the money to your account in your country, to start
the good work of God, I want you to use the 35/percent of the total amount
to help yourself in doing the project.

I am desperately in keen need of assistance and I have summoned up courage
to contact you for this task, you must not fail me and the millions of the
poor people in our today’s WORLD. This is no stolen money and there are no
dangers involved 100% RISK FREE with full legal proof. Please if you would
be able to use the funds for the Charity works kindly let me know
immediately. I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality and trust in
this matter to accomplish my heart desire, as I don't want anything that
will jeopardize my last wish. I want you to take 35 percent of the total
money for your personal use while 65 percent of the money will go to
charity. Hoping to hear from you soon.

Thanks and God bless you,
With Regards
Mrs. Johanna Maaly Bob,

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