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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: "joseph ayeh" <joseph23@tulsaemail.com>
Reply-To: mr.joseph_k@sify.com
Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:33:08 +0200
Subject: urgent reply


FINANCIAL BANK BENIN
COTONOU REPUBLIQUE DU BENIN
PLOT 14 CARRE 589 MISSEBO
TEL: +229 93 89 51 4587
FAX: +229 23 33 21 324
EMAIL: mr.joseph_k@sify.com


ATTEN: DEAR TRUSTING FRIEND,

I honestly apologize and hope I do not cause you much embarrassment by
contacting you through this means for a transaction of this magnitude. This
message could be strange but it's real if you pay some attention to it, Due
to the confidentiality and prompt access reposed on this medium, it became
necessary for me to seek your assistance and it is imperative for me to know
your opinion.

In a brief introduction, I am Mr. Joseph K. Ayeh, the Director of Operation
with Financial Bank Cotonou-Benin Republic. I have a very interesting deal
to discuss with you, the deal under discussion has to do with Mr George
C.Hudson a national of your country, who was employed as a
Consultant/contractor with Societe Nationale Des Products D' Agricole
(SONAPRA) a cotton manufacturing company in Cotonou-Benin.

On 25th December 2003, Mr. George C.Hudson with his wife and their only
daughter was involved in a plane crash victims with Boe 727-type air plane
belonging to African Transport Union (UTA). In this fatal tragidy with
Beirut-bound flight, 110 persons died and Over 40 others still reported
missing, while 22 passengers survived, you may confirm the event of the air
crash throug,http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3350455.stm or(
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3353551.stm).

Consequently, Mr George C.Hudson made a numbered time (fixed) deposited for
twelve calendar and his account with our Bank accrues to about (Three
Million, Two hundred and Fifty- Two Thousand US Dollars) USDM3.252,000.00.
Hence my decision to contact you so that you and I will go into partnership
hence late Mr George C.Hudson has no other relative to claim his left fund
in our bank. However,the nature of your business is completely irrelevant to
this transaction as all I need from you is an assurance that my interest
will be fully protected once this deal is concluded.

All I want you to do is to ACT as the next of kin of Late Mr George C.Hudson
because you are a foreigner like him which makes this claim straight
forward, this fund will be reverted to the government ownnership as
abaundoned treasury if no body applies as his next of kin. Therefore, you as
a foreigner is fully qualified to stand as the next of kin to late Mr George
C.Hudson so that the fruits of this old man's labour will not get into the
hands of some corrupt government officials as the expiration period is at
hand.

Please note that There is no risk at all, my position as the Director of
Operation guarantees the successful execution of this transaction. It is
expected that upon the receipt of your acceptance, this transaction will be
concluded within 7 Banking days and the money will be paid into your account
for us to share in the ratio of 40% for you and 60% for me. Please if you
are interested kindly reply me with my alternative email:
mr.joseph_k@sify.com, and also you send to me your private phone, or
mobile numbers for easier correspondence. I look forward to hearing from you
soon.
Best Regards,
Mr. Joseph K. Ayeh

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