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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: "Ibrahim Tokpota" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <central-bofbenin@mail.ee>
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2016 05:34:02 -0700
Subject: Registration Reference No:FDXB/xxx/100

Attention: Beneficiary Kindly pardon me if you are seing this message for the second time. We have now officialy changed our website and email contact to serve you better. Thank you for your Understanding.

My name is Ibrahim Tokpota from Benin Central Bank of Benin Office. The United Nations has deposited your Over-due payment of $500,000.00 USD, with this bank (Central Bank of Benin), This is regarding the draws the Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon organized on his visit to Africa last Month to help individuals /Scam victims and charity organization. Your name/email was listed among those who are to benefit from these compensation exercise to make the world a better place for all.

The Central Bank of Benin will be waiting to hear from you, This payment of $500,000.00 USD has been programmed into an VISA ATM CARD signed and approved in your Name with Registration Reference No:FDXB/xxx/100. kindly get back to this office with your details as listed below.

1.Residential Address
2.Full Names:
3.Phone Number:
4.A scanned copy of your ID or passport.

MR. Ibrahim Tokpota.
DIRECTOR INVESTIGATION/OPERATIONS UNIT
CENTRAL BANK OF BENIN.
PHONE: +229 6535132
WEBSITE: http://www.ecbs.org.ee/

Please contact me now if you are unable to access our website so i can process the package with the Security Company for delivery to also send you the tracking number of the package at once

I wait to hear from you and ensure you contact the bank once you read this message

Ibrahim Tokpota
DIRECTOR INVESTIGATION/OPERATIONS UNIT
CENTRAL BANK OF BENIN

Anti-fraud resources: