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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: Mrs Ruth Benson <mrsruthbn@ymail.com>
Reply-To: mrsruthbn@yahoo.fr
Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 08:26:15 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Donation From Mrs. Ruth Benson, Abidjan, Ivory Coast





With Due Respect And Humility, I was compelled towrite you under a humanitarian ground. I am Mrs Ruth Benson from Kuwait. I am married toLate Mr. Jean Benson who was untilhis death a competent business man here in Ivory Coast, fornine good years before he died. We were married for many years without a child.He died after a brief illness that lasted for only Eight days.
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $(4.8 Million) USD FourMillion Eight Hundred Dollar as a Family Valuables in a Finance SecurityCompany here in Abidjan, Ivory Coast capital. Having known my condition Idecided to donate this fund to a church or a God fearing person that willutilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want a Church,NGOs, Government Organizations, Farmers or a God fearing Person that will usethis fund for orphanages, hospitals, schools, widows, Lessprevilages,propagating the word of God and to endeavour that the house of God is maintained.After going through some medical checkup my doctor told me Iwould not last the next eight months due to cancer problem.
I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly way. Thisis why I am taking this decision.
As soon as I receive your reply in acceptance of working with me in the kingdomof God, I shall give you the contact of the Finance Security Company here inAbidjan Ivory Coast. I want you and the church to always pray for me becausethe lord is my shepherd. My happiness is that I lived a life of aworthy Christian. Whoever that wants to serve the Lord must serve him inspirit and Truth.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as Ihave Stated herein. Expecting to receive your re-assuring reply,
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Your's Sister In Christ,
Mrs. Ruth Benson

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