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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: elizabeth benson <e_elizabeth108@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <e_elizabethbenson02@yahoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:54:36 +0100
Subject: FROM: Mrs.Elizabeth Benson



FROM: Mrs.Elizabeth Benson
Abidjan ,Cote d ivoirePhone:00225.04498196.
Dearest One PLEASE TREAT THIS AS PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL I know you will be surprised to read from me, but please consider this as a request from a family in dire need of assistance.
I got your contact after my prayers and i believe you will not disappoint me.
I am Mrs. Mrs.Elizabeth Benson. I was married to late Dr. Frank Benson,a politician and cocoa businessman who was assasinated in Novermber 2003 following a political crisis here in Cote d ivoire.
Before my husband,s death, he was a wealthy cocoa marchant and a politician.We deposited the sum of 5 (Five ) Million US Dollars in one of the bank here in Abidjan,Cote d ivoire.We intended to use this money for his political ambitions before he met his untimely death and presently this money is still with this bank.
Recently the doctors informed me that i would not last for the next 2 months due to my cancer and stroke situation and i am very worried for my only son,Henry Junior who is now 16 years old.

I wish to solicit for your assistance to transfer this money into your account so that you can secure and invest it into a lucrative business venture for the benefit and education of my son,Henry Junior.I wish this money to be invested in your country because of my husband,s political enemies and the level of political instability and crisis here in Cote d ivoire.
I am still in the hospital due to my situation but will upon your kind reply confirm you to the bank where this money is deposited as our family friend whom i wish this fund to be transfered to.
Please i will like this transaction to be confidential and private to avoid an unexpected person becoming aware of this fund due to my late husband,s position before his death and to enable you plan for the investment to secure my son,s future.
I will like you to invest this money into any lucrative business venture which you deem fit and proper. I have agreed to offer you 15% of the total fund for your kindness while the remaining 85% shall be invested and managed by you on behalf of my son,Henry Junior who shall come over to you for his education and better life as soon as this fund reaches you. Please,ensure that my son recieves the best of life when he comes under your custody and protection.

Immediately i get your kind response i will forward you with the contact of the security company/bank where my late husband deposited this money as well as other necessary documents for the transfer.I look forward to your quick rely.
Yours sincerlyMrs. Elizabeth Benson
_________________________________________________________________
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