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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: DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY <jamespeterson1157@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: deliver.system123@msn.com
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:17:52 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: IMMUNITY




COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN WEST AFRICA.
CONFIDENTIAL DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY

 

ATTENTION : SIR/MADAM,
 
This is to notify you that after we met today with The President,Finance Minister,The senators,House of Representative and The Bank Of Benin and we came to a conclusion that we have to pay you the sum of $5.5m and the balance will come later.The payment will be via Diplomatic courier service,  therefore you are advice to re-confirm the followings as soon as you receive this email immediately for more information.
 
1. YOUR FULL NAME
2. CONTACT ADDRESS
2. PHONE AND FAX NUMBER,
3. YOUR AGE AND CURRENT OCCUPATION
4. A COPY OF YOUR IDENTITY ATTACHED TO E-MAIL
 
Your immediate respond is urgently needed. Note also that INDIA is only Country approved for your fund delivery, which you will be required to meet with the Delivery Officer on his arrival in INDIA for clearance/Claim
 
Best Regards,
Mr Samson James (Rtd).
National Security Adviser
COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN.
 

Anti-fraud resources: