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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: "ubello bello" <ubello20@gala.net>
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 13:13:34 +0200
Subject: Dear beneficiary receive your fund by western union urgently


*Dear beneficiary receive your fund by western union urgently *

*FROM THE DESK OF USMAN BELLO
FINANCIAL MINISTER OF FREDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN
FOREIGN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE.
TEL +229-93-204-687 FAX+229-93-202-545.
Email: **ubello23@hotmail.com* <ubello23@hotmail.com>* *


*Attn: Clients,*

* *

*The Board of federal ministry of finance benin republic. are here to notify
you of your payment inherited funds of $1.9M usd . after the meeting held
on 28th of Febuary 2008. His Exelence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
BENIN DR YAYI BONI. has Instructed this Department to send your funds
through western union money transfer for easier receive of your inherinted
funds without any further delay. to avoid paying money to the fraud stars
that is going on through the global. you are required to send your name and
address were you want your fund to be send through western union the
maximium amount you will be receiving each day starting from tomorrow is the
sum of $7000.00.
also your are required to send us the sum of $198 dollar for re-newing and
recofirming your file that was deposited in this office with your name and
address bellow .*


*Beneficiarey name----------------------------
Address--------------------------------
Tel phone-----------------------------
Contact me with this informations below:
CONTACT PERSON: MR USMAN BELLO
TEL: +229-95 846 864.
EMAIL: **ubello23@hotmail.com* <ubello23@hotmail.com>*
*

*As soon the required fee of $198 is send today for the renewing
reconfirming the payment file of your funds you will start receiving your
funds as from tomorrow.
Send the $198 dollar through western union with the name and address below:
Receiver name -------------JOSEPH OBALIM
City------------------------COTONOU
Country---------------------BENIN REPUBLIC
Test Question---------------HONEST
Test Answer----------------TRUST
Amount--------------------$198.00*

*We await to receive the western union payment informations today Please if
you are not the real beneficiary don't respond on this email*

*Yours in service*


*MR USMAN BELLO
Finance Minister
Federal Republic of Benin
*

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