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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: MARY JOHNSON <mary0947711@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:

Dear Greetings,

Writing with a humanitarian heart, my name is Mrs Mary Johnson; I am
67 years old, I decided to contact you directly. I am a dying woman
who has decided to donate what I have to you/churches/ motherless
babies/less privileged/widows/. I was diagnosed with cancer about 3
years ago. I have been touched by God to donate from what I have
inherited from my late husband to you for good work of God. I have
asked God to forgive me and believe he has because he is a merciful
God.

I will be going in for an operation in a few days time. I decided to
WILL/donate the sum of GB2.5 million Pounds to you for the good work
of God, and also to help the motherless and less privileged and also
for the assistance of the widows. At the moment I cannot take any
telephone calls right now due to the fact that my relatives (That
have squandered the funds I gave them for this purpose before) are
around me and my health status also.

I have adjusted my WILL and my lawyer is aware. I wish you all the
best and may the good God bless you abundantly, and please use the
Funds judiciously and always extend the good work to others. As soon
you get back to me, I shall give you info on what I need from you then
you will contact the barrister and tell him I have WILLED the funds to
you by quoting my personal file info’s: HN°02170986B047 and I have
also notified the bank that I am WILLING the funds out for charity
purpose, effective and prudent work. I know I don't know you but I
have been directed to do this by God.

Thanks and God bless.

Reply me through my private email address: redacted@domain.name

Best Regard,
Mrs Mary Johnson

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