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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: "U.S. Embassy" <office------fi0979@att.net>
Reply-To: us.embassy21@blumail.org
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 03:44:16 -0800 (PST)
Subject: U.S. Embassy




Good Day,
 
This is Richard Kolker Secretary to U.S. Embassy in Benin Republic.We write to notify you that through the intervention of U.S. Embassy in Benin your fund has been released. Your outstanding dept $2.8M USD own in Africa will now be pay to you. The inherited amount of $2.8M USD is already with U.S. Embassy in Cotonou and you will receive it without any delay. Now kindly contact U.S. Ambassador to Benin James Knight and he will direct you where to collect your payment in your state in UNITED STATES with no delay. Email the following information to the Ambassador as they are vital to your payment as to let him know the nearest payment center in your state.
 
Your Full Name:_________________  
Private Telephone:______________
Your State in U.S.:_____________
A copy of your Passport or Driving License:_________
 
Email the required info to James Knight U.S Ambassador to Benin and you will be directed to nearest payment Center in your state. Below is his contact info.
 
Name: James Knight (U.S. Ambassador to Benin)
Telephone: +229-662-31-718
E-mail: us.embassy21@blumail.org
 
Best wish,
Richard Kolker

Anti-fraud resources: