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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 <mahiamadoumoron@gmail.com>
Reply-To: marymicheal1744@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2023 01:08:26 +0100
Subject: Good Day My Dear


My Dearest one

I am Mrs. Mary Micheal, 70 years old widow. I was married to the late
Engr.Jacobson Micheal, my late husband was from California, USA, He worked
with Shell Development Company here in London for Twenty-Six years before
he died in the year 2017 after a brief illness that lasted only five days.

Am not in good health but God is alive despite the fact that my doctor has
confirmed that I may not survive the surgery that will be performed on me
soon. I do not want the bank/corrupt government to have my money if I don't
succeed in the operation, My health is in the hand of God.

I selected you after visiting the website and I prayed over it. I am
willing to donate the sum of £1.8, Million GBP, to help the less
privileged. Please know that the fund was deposited in one of the security
companies here in London. Once I hear from you, I will forward to you all
the information you will use to get this fund released from the security
company and to be delivered to your address in your country.

If you can faithfully help and use the fund to care for the poor and less
privileged in your country, I am waiting to read from you for more details
on my intention to help the poor and the needy in your country.

Your sister in God,
Mrs. Mary Micheal.

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