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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: "=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Dr=20=20Paul=20Owen?=" <urias@temple.com.br>
Reply-To: drpaul27@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2011 02:40:34 -0300
Subject: Dear Good Friend

>From Dr Paul Owen
African Development Bank Republic Du Benin
Cotonou Benin Republic.

Dear Good Friend

It interests me to contact you after my investigations on your capability and sincerity.

I am Auditor General in African Development Bank Republic Du Benin On my routine inspection I discovered a dormant domiciliary account with the deposit of ($9.6Million USD}by late Mr Khalead without any hier. I write to seek your indulgence and assistance in moving this fund to your country through legal means.

Let me know if you can handle it so that we can discuss your own %.

I wait for your urgent response.

Regards,

Dr Paul Owen.
Auditor General

Private Line +229 97 64 58 89


Anti-fraud resources: