419 scam: "Elizabeth Benson"<beneliza@osb.att.ne.jp> From Miss Elizabeth Benson50.00 Euro,MATION FOR PAYMEPŒë¸"

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Elizabeth Benson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <missbenson34@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:08:48 +0200
Subject: From Miss Elizabeth Benson

>From Miss Elizabeth Benson
Villa 11 Riviera Golf Cocody
Abidjan Cote d'voire (Ivory Coast)

Dearly Beloved One,

With all sincerity and humility it is with deep pains I write you this message of wishful assistance to my predicament.

I am Miss. Elizabeth Benson. From Cote d'voire I am 17 years old; I lost my father a couple of months ago. My late Father Frank Benson was a Coaco Merchant here in my country Ivory Coast until his untimely death.

He was assassinated on the 19th of September 2009 by his business associates and in plan with some of my relatives and following the political uprising. Before his death, he deposited with a Firm here in Cote d'Ivore the sum of (Two Million three hundred thousand United States Dollars Only) $2.3 Million Dollars.

I want you to do me a favour to receive this fund as my late father foreign business associate overseas in your country, so that I will come over to your country for investment and resettlement, since the present administration is no more in cordial relationship with my families.

I have planned to do investment in your country, like Real Estate and Hotel this is my reason for writing to you. Please if you are willing to assist me, indicate your interest in replying with your detials soonest, I will offer you 15% only for your kind and honest assistance.

Yours sincerely.
Miss Elizabeth Benson.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam