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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.

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Fraud email example:

From: "Richard Benson" <richben42@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 02:49:06 +0700
Subject: Business Proposal.

>From Mr.Richard Benson.

Tel:+66-9-0462275.

E-mail:richben42@yahoo.com

Dear ,

Compliments of the day, before I proceed, I must be grateful to introduce myself. I am Mr. Richard Benson, a former Aide to one of the ministers of the Sierra-Leonian government, prior to the time of crisis which is presently on and I got your contact from a directory I have just acquired.
Due to my position, I have been able to come away with a reasonable sum of money Ten Point five Millon Dollars ( $10.500.000.00)and I have the tendency to invest this money in a company with good line of products like your own company and with potential for a good capital returns. Since your country is one of the good investor friendly nations in the world, I have decieded to live and run business over there I would therefore like you to help me in every possible way in securing this money in your country.
Furthermore I will like you to assist me in finding a good business that I will invest this fund. However upon acceptance, you will be required to come to Bangkok-Thailand for a meeting. This will enable us to know ourselves better and finalize arrangement towards moving this fund to your country.
In view of your participation, I am ready to give you a good negotiation percentage for your assistance or better still commit it into a joint venture project. Be assured that you stand no risk of any kind as the fund belongs to me only. As soon as I get your consent, I will quickly move this fund to your country and finally move my family over there as well.
I strongly believe that associating with you to embark on this and other business ventures will derive a huge success hereafter. If you have any question do not hesitate to include same in your reply.
I am looking forward to hearing from you with regards to our collaboration and our immediate formal meeting. Kindly reply with this E-mail also add your phone number (probably mobile) for ease of communication and ask that you call me on the number: + 66-9-0462275.

Best regards

Richard Benson.


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