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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: MORRISON BENSON <ayinde9206@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: morrisonbenson@post.ro
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:53:46 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: PLEASE DEAR FRIEND


Dear Friend,
 
I am Benson Morrison, Director of account United Bank for Africa plc. A contractor who is a customer named ENGR. REINIER
PRITCHARD, made a deposit valued at USD$18 million. Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address
but got no reply. After a month we discovered from his contract employers that the depositor had died. On further
investigation, I found out that he died without making a will.However, my proposal is to front you as the next of kin to the
deceased Customer of our bank, if this transaction interests you kindly let me know so I can advice you on how we are going
to execute this deal.
 
I completely trust you to keep this proposition absolutely confidential and Kindly forward your full names, contact address,
telephone and fax numbers where I can reach you easily. I have suggested that we share the funds as follows 50% for me 40%
for your effort and 10% for expenses, I look forward to your earliest response through my alternative email Address below:
{morrisonbenson@post.ro} for security reasons.
Best Regards,
Benson Morrison.

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