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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 Davids Wood" <hartwigs11@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 17:48:32 -0400
Subject: YOUR COMPENSATION PAYMNET FUNDS


Dear,
How are you today? after a long while now.

Longest time. I hope all is well together with your family. If so glory be to God Almighty. Well, Sorry to hear this news and please understand that the fault is not from me. I am happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred with the cooperation of a new partner from Paraguay. We were paid from bank in Cotonou, Benin republic.

Presently I'm in Paraguay for investment projects with my own share of the total sum. Meanwhile, I did not forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me intransferring this funds, even though we could not conclude it hence, I have decided to compensate you.

Contact my account officer in bank in Cotonou, Benin Republic. His name is Mr. Benjamin Kewata with e-mail address stated below
( benkewata@myway.com ) I have instructed him to pay out Nine hundred thousand united states dollars in your favor as your compensation for all the past efforts and attempts to assist me in the transaction.

I appreciated your efforts at that time very much, so feel free and get in touched with my account officer Mr. Benjamin Kewata and instruct him on where to sendthe draft or wire transfer to you. I’m very busy here because of the investment projects which I and the new partner are handling. Finally, remember that I haveforwarded instruction to my account officer on your behalf, So feel free to get in touch with him.

Best Regards,
Davids


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