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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: BENNY DIXON <info98@weboffice963.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <bennydixon@live.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 22:21:57 +0530
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED Contact me via: bennydixon@live.com


Dear Sir/Madam, I am sorry for invading your privacy. My name is Benny Dixo=
n.I am from New Zealand but currently in the UK. I have been a successful b=
usinessman for the past 20 years, my business interests has spanned the sec=
tors of metals, oil and precious stones in Asia, Africa and Europe, during =
this time, I have amassed a lot of wealth but recently I was diagnosed with=
esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and righ=
t now I have only about a few weeks to live. I am very rich, but was never =
generous; I have given most of my assets to my immediate family members but=
my mind is not at peace since I have a dream of giving back to the society=
and helping the needy in our world. I have decided to give alms and donati=
ons to charity organizations.I cannot do this myself anymore because of my =
health. I once asked members of my family to give some money to charity org=
anizations,they refused and kept the money for themselves that made my heal=
th heavy and uneasy. I have a huge cash deposit in a secured bank since 201=
0. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to chari=
ty organizations for charity work under your supervision. You will take out=
30% of these funds for your assistance. Please answer these questions,Cont=
act me via: bennydixon@live.com. [1] Full Names: [2] Your Country: [3] Dire=
ct Telephone [4] Date of birth: [5] Occupation: Regards, Benny Dixon.

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