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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. Maria Bernd Koch <hellen@tgnordima.de>
Reply-To: baldurgartende@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 03 Mar 2023 00:59:23 +0100
Subject: My Dearest in the Lord

My Dearest in the Lord:

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I’m Mrs. Maria Bernd Koch the widow of the late Mr.Bernd Koch, I’m 56 years old. I am a Christian convert, suffering from prolonged cancer of the breast, from all medical indications my condition has really deteriorated and it’s pretty obvious that I may not live for more than six months owning to the rapid growth by stage and the excruciating pain that accrues to it.

My husband died three years ago, and our long years of marriage were not blessed with children. My husband was very wealthy. After his death I inherited all his business and funds. My doctor has diagnosed and told me privately what I should expect, building my spirit for the inevitable . He says I may not last for more than six months, based on this I have taken the decision to share part of my funds and wealth in contribution to the development of the Church and society with a major focus on the poor, needy and victims of HIV/AIDS.

I selected you after visiting the website having prayed over it, I am willing to donate the sum of $9.500,000.00 USD for your work in developing the Church and to help the poor, needy,and less privileged among your congregations/society. Please note that this fund is deposited in a bank in the country where my husband worked, My lawyer will file the application for the transfer of this money in your designated name and information, after my applications and instructions.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. Finally I honestly employ you to make sure that these funds are put to use only for this purpose, a good one you can agree with me,and remember these are the demands of a dying woman who has a life in the lord. I now realize that wealth without life in Christ is vanity and non-sense. Always remember that.

May the grace and blessings of God be and remain with you.

I shall be awaiting your response.

Regards,
Mrs. Maria Bernd Koch

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