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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: "Ms. Sina Watson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <messagesinawatsonss1@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Apr 2024 16:11:09 -0700
Subject: HELP!!!! 55

Out of respect for your time, my name is Sina Watson. I was born in
Wels, Austria, but my late parents emigrated to India when I
was 6. I am a businesswoman, banker, and corporate executive. Please
feel free to research me to learn more about me. I know this may be a
surprise because you do not know me, but I sincerely need your trust and
assistance urgently because of my present health condition - I am
suffering from cancer. I desire to have a genuine working relationship
with you.

I would appreciate your help to help me in fulfilling my last wish of
distributing my funds to various charitable organizations around you. I
deposited the sum of $2.5M (Two million, Five Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars) with a finance/bank in India where I reside now.
I have worked hard and donated to many charitable organizations in my
community and neighboring countries. However, I want to help across
international borders too as God directs me before I pass on.

Suffering from this form of cancer (Stage 4 cancer of the breast); my
doctor informed me that due to my poor health condition, I would not be
able to stay alive past the next few months. Knowing my condition, I
decided to donate these funds to charitable organizations through you in
your country. I prayed about this, and I have confidence in my decision.
I will compensate you and your family 50% of the $2.5M for your efforts
if you can help me fulfill my last wish. I anticipate your earliest
reply and would love to hear from you.

Please reply to me here: messagesinawatsonss1@gmail.com

Sincerely,
Ms. Sina Watson

Anti-fraud resources: