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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: "benjamin west" <benjaminwest002@msn.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2005 14:00:31 +0000
Subject: THANKS FOR YOUR RESPONSE

Dear Sir,

I am Benjamin West personal assistance to former Bayelsa State Governor,
republic of Nigeria, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha who was impeached few
days back after 5 years in office.

He is currently facing charges for money laundry in United Kingdom which is
motivated by his political enemies, the President of our country and his
group in there quest to hold on to power after may 2007 when the tenure of
the president will expire.Governor Alamieseigha is strongly against our
President on this matter and for this he is seen as an enemy that must be
eliminated.

You should know that the same problem arose between the President and his
vice President Atiku Abubarka.My boss is among the supporters of vice
President Atiku Abubarka. Due to the above incident he was set-up by the
President in the United Kingdom,he was caught by the British police at the
airport for money laundry. One million, eight hundred pounds and also eighty
thousand euros were found in his house and in his pocket respectively.

Due to the above incident it led to his bank accounts in Nigeria and abroad
frozen and also all his known properties both those in Nigeria and abroad
are also seized up by the Government of Nigeria and Britain. Right now he
is under police custody in Nigeria awaiting the commencement of his trial at
the federal high court as instigated by the EFCC.

My boss told me in confidence and secret that he has some funds he secretly
deposited with a security firm for safe-keeping some months back in the sum
of $11M (Eleven million US Dollars) contained in one sealed box.

He deposited this fund in a security company in Europe which we shall
disclose to you as we progress.The money was deposited for safe-keeping as
family treasures and African artifacts to avoid the official of the company
from raising any eyebrow. I wish and believe you will be in the position to
assist in managing this large sum for a profitable venture. My boss showed
me all the documents relating to the deposited fund, now I have the
documents covering the deposit which I will not hesitate to send to you the
copies as a proof for your confirmation as soon as I receive your response
via my personal email address as stated below. E-mail:

E-mail: ben_west2ng@yahoo.com

I have also all the related evidence to convince you for the above as
regards what my boss is going through both in Nigeria and United Kingdom.

1,http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/2/hi/africa/4513172.stm

2,http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/daily_trust/2005/12/16/how_obasanjo_plans_to_humiliate_atiku_aide.php

3,http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/2/hi/africa/4523992.stm

4,http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/board/showthread.php?t=5721

5,http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/2/hi/africa/4513172.stm

6,http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4491382.stm

I will need from you a mutual understanding and then we shall make plans of
how the funds would be secured into an account in your name. Moreover, you
will arrange and travel immediately to meet with the security company in
Europe for the clearing of the consignment. This amount is contained in one
sealed trunk box and it is registered and declared as containing family
treasures and African artifacts. From my discussion with my boss, he has
agreed to give you a reasonable percentage for your assistance upon
negotiation.

Please treat this with utmost confidentiality.

Regards
Benjamin West


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