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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. BEN THOMAS." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.benthomas@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 12:40:40 -0700
Subject: REQUEST FOR YOUR ASSISTANT.

Hello Dear,
 
 
I have a very important request that make me to contact you. I am Mr. Ben Thomas, I solicit  your assistance and Guidelines in making a business investment and transfer of Twenty Million United States Dollars (US$20 Million) to your country within the Next few days. My client Late Khamis Gaddafi, the son of Late Muammar Al-Gaddafi, had a deposit of US$20 Million with EURO FINANCE LIMITED here in London.
 
 
Presently I am in Japan for an official assignment but I work as a senior account officer, Offshore Mortgage & Services with Euro Finance Limited, London UK. But at this moment, I am constrained to issue more details about this profitable Business investment until I get your response by mail or telephone. This transaction is totally free of risk and troubles as the fund is legitimate and does not originate from  drug, money laundry, terrorism or any other illegal act, funds will be released to you after  necessary processes have been followed.
 
 
Please take out a moment of your very busy schedule today to respond back if you are interested; I wish for your utmost confidentiality in handling this transaction. Let me hear from you as soon as you get this message, so we can proceed. Contact me through my private email: mr.ben_thomas@yahoo.com
 
 
Looking forward to hearing from you.
 
 
Best Regards,
Mr. Ben Thomas.
Sen. Accounts Director.

Anti-fraud resources: