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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: "U.S. Embassy" <office_68@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: us.embassy24@superposta.com
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:37:18 -0500
Subject: From U.S. Embassy



This is Richard Kolker Secretary to U.S. Embassy in Benin Republic. Your
outstanding dept $2.8M USD own in Africa is already with U.S. Embassy in
Cotonou and you will receive it without any delay. Now kindly contact U.S.
Ambassador to Benin James Knight and he will direct you where to collect your
payment in your country. Email the following information to the Ambassador so
he direct you to the nearest payment center in your state.

Your Full Name:........
Private Telephone:......
Your State / Country:.........
A copy of your Passport or Driving License:......

Email the required info to James Knight U.S Ambassador to Benin and you will
be directed to nearest payment Center in your state. Below is his contact info.

Name: James Knight (U.S. Ambassador to Benin)
Telephone: +229-662-31-718
E-mail: us.embassy24@superposta.com

Best wish,
Richard Kolker

Anti-fraud resources: