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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: "James Knight" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <usembass1@admin.in.th>
Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2013 09:17:11 -0500
Subject: Greeting from U.S Embassy

Department United States
Embassy SeaL
Greeting from U.S Embassy,

THIS MAIL IS ONLY FOR THE OWNER OF THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS


Hello:Beneficiary,

Please i want to inform you that your fund was brought to my desk this morning because the SECRETARY OF UNITED NATION here in Benin Republic said that they will divert your compensation fund to the Government Treasury account just because you failed to pay for their fee of your fund which is just $120.00 usd only.

But i told them to wait until i hear from you today so that i will know the reason why you rejected such amount of money $1.5m which is a compensation from United Nation and will change your life just because of $120.00 usd

I want your urgent response as soon as you receive this email and explain to me the reason why you should abandon your fund or if you don't need it then i can change your name to another person so that the corrupt Government officials of Benin Republic will not claim this money for their selfish interest.

YOUR FULL CONTACT INFORMATION IS NEEDED.

YOUR FULL NAME:------------------------
YOUR PRIVATE PHONE NUMBER:-------------
HOME ADDRESS AND CITY--- -------------
SEX/OCCUPATION:-----------------------
AGE:----------------------------------

I will wait to hear from you now through this Email ( usembass2@hotmail.com ) or you can call my office +229-99-84-20-99


Mr. James A. Knight.
United States Ambassador to the Republic of Benin
E-MAIL:- usembass2@hotmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: