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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: "Mr. Ben Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benjohnson3213@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:11:26 -0700
Subject: Contact Mr. David Martins for your CHEQUE Usd$1.2 Million,.

Hello My Good Friend,
 
Good day and how are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I am using this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar business has been concluded with the assistance of another partner from India who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. Due to your effort sincerity courage and trustworthiness you showed during the course of the transaction. I have left a certified international bank cheque for you worth of $1,200 000.00 Million Dollars cashable anywhere in the world.
 
Contact: Mr. David Martins
Cotonou Benin Republic.
His email address:    mmdavidmartinss@hotmail.com
 
Therefore you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your correct mailing address where you want him to send the cheque to you.
 
Thanks and God bless you and your family.
Hoping to hear from you.
Mr. Ben Johnson

Anti-fraud resources: