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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: Mrs Alice Benson <alicebenson@amicable.biz>
Reply-To: alice_benson12@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:36:48 -0800 (PST)
Subject: From Mrs Alice Benson



>From Mrs Alice Benson
Greeting to you.
 
 
With due respect and humblelity, I am Mrs. Alice Benson. From Tunisia but now undergoing medical treatment, I was married to Mr Benson. Who worked with a cocoa company in ABIDJAN  for nine years. Before he died in the year 2004.we were both married for eleven without Children.  
  
He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of USD6.2 million deposited in a company here in Cote D' Ivoire . And he deposited it as family valuables not as money. i will send you the contact details of the company as soon as you indicate your interest.
 
Recently, my Doctor told me that i will die soon due to my cancer illness. Having known my condition and believing the doctor, i have decided to donate this fund to avoid total loss to church, Less privilege, and to orphans and war victims. This money should be used to help churches, orphanages, widows and propagating the Gospel and to ensure that the house of God is maintained.
 
i took this decision because i don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are fighting over the properties and I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by their greedy attitude. i don't want a situation where this money will be used in an UNGODLY manner, hence the reason for taking this bold decision. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact information of the security company. 
 
 
God bless you
Yours, Sincerely
Mrs.Alice Benson

Anti-fraud resources: