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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: "Steve Benson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <musanasser86864@live.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 06:49:54 -0500
Subject: Keep This Money in Trust For me.

Keep This Money in Trust For me.
 
 
I am Steve Benson,a major Oil contractor in Libya.The present Government wants to seize everything I have worked for all my life because of my alleged closeness to Gadaffi.I solicit your support to receive my Seventeen Million United Stated Dollars(US$17,000,000) Currently in a bank .
 
I am offering you part of the money which we will negotiate for your assistance.Do send me your particulars to enable me instruct the Bank to release the money to you.You must act with urgency as my life is in danger here in Libya.I am in a desperate situation,I do not want to lose everything.That is why I am giving you substancial part of the money for you to relocate and keep the money in trust for me.
 
Once you receive the money I will join you for the sharing,I want you to note that the money in question is result of honest hard work,so you do not have anything to worry about.My only offense is my alleged closeness to the late leader.
 
Steve Benson.

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