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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: "Benson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <altonben001@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2011 04:40:17 -0700
Subject: Reply"

Dear Friend,

Compliments of the day.

I am contacting you with Godly honesty and commitment to solicit for your co-operation in a mutual and beneficial business opportunity which involves safeguarding funds, to the tone of $30.7 M USD (Thirty Million Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) which belong to one of my client Mr. Micah Gillard a politician and a university Professor who died January 14th 2010 while attending a meeting at the Ministry of Justice when the quake struck near Haitian Capital Port-au-Price.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micha_Gaillard
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Haiti_earthquake
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Haiti_earthquake#Damage_to_infrastructure

Although, I am skeptical to approach you regarding this business in this form owing to lots of unsolicited/scam mails circulating presently worldwide as I wouldn’t want my honorable name to be dragged to mess as mistaken intention, but I would be glad to provide more elaborate details if you provide me with your full and very confidential contact details so that I can contact and communicate with you in a very confidential and appropriate way for more detailed information and updates, but you must first assure me that the whole transaction must be kept highly secret and confidential due to my position / Good image and also in the interest of my late client personality.

In a brief introduction my name is Dr.Alton Ben. An Independent Financial Consultant base in United States, but presently in United Kingdom. More details about the transaction will be given to you when I receive affirmative response from you, including your assurance that you will do this with me in all honesty and dedication.


I sought and contacted you because of the distance, peaceful and safe nature of your country in addition with the good banking practice. I want you to also understand that you are the first and only person I have contacted concerning this project, so I beg you in the name of GOD to still protect the confidentiality of this fund even if you decide on the contrary.

Meanwhile, all the banking /financial rules and regulations applicable to your countries standards of foreign exchange and monitory transfer protocols must be observed, so that we will achieve a successful transfer at end. What are the government tax policies on foreign investors, I would also like to know the cost of nice family houses in the good suburb area of your country with adequate security and a family garden.

Thanks and may God bless you as I await you urgent and sincere response.

Yours faithfully

Dr.Alton Ben

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