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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: "Dr Christopher Ben." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <chrisben2020@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 15 May 2010 17:19:22 +0200
Subject: RE:15/05/2010

Chief Executive Director Of International Remmittance,
Fund Transfer and Electronic ATM Card Department
Kilburn High Road, London NW6, London-UK.
(REGISTERED NO.1026167).

Attn: Beneficiary.

The U.S.A Government, World Bank And United Nations Organization Official Has Approved to pay you part payment of your Contract / Inheritance Fund payment Valued at ?g15Million (Fifteen Million Britain Pounds in conjunction with British Government and NATWEST BANK PLC LONDON.

This decision was made last week. With this development, a woman by name (MRS: JANET WHITE) came to our office with an application stating that you gave her the power of attorney to be the beneficiary of your outstanding Contract / Inheritance / Award Funds.

She made us to believe that you are dead and that she is your next of kin. We got your email address and decided to inform you by sending an email through this address hoping to find out, if you are dead or alive and also to find out if you at anytime gave this woman the power of attorney to represent you.

If you are not aware of the above instruction, please do respond to this email immediately by contacting us, Please let us know if you are aware of that, because we are almost ready to release part payment of ?g15Million (Fifteen Million Britain Pounds of your outstanding funds to her nominated bank account stated below:

Bank Name: Washington Mutual Bank
Address: 1723 Palmdale Bulv.
Palmdale Ca. 93550
Acct No:3573813158
Rout No:322271627
Swift code No:WMSBUS66
Beneficiary: JANET WHITE.

For immediate release of your said funds through ATM Card,Be informed that you are not allowed to correspond or contact any person or office with respect to this transfer other than this office, Britain Prime Minister Gordon Brown,have only giving instructions, that we can only release total Value of 15Million (Fifteen Million Britain Pounds) only, You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of ?g10,000.00 Pounds is permitted daily And we are duly inter-switched and you can make withdrawal in any location of the ATM Center of your choice/nearest to you any where in the world.

We have also concluded delivery arrangement with our accredited courier service Company to oversee the delivery of the ATM Card to you without any further delay you are required to send him an email, Please also reconfirm your information below:

1) YOUR FULL NAMES
2) RESIDENCE ADDRESS, CITY, STATE AND COUNTRY
3) PERSONAL CELL PHONE, FAX AND MOBILE PHONE NUMBER
4) AGE AND SEX.

Yours Sincerely,
Dr Christopher Ben.

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