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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: "Carlos Benson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <carlos_benson@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 07:54:29 -0700
Subject: Thu Mar 13

Good Day

I am writing this letter in confidence believing that if it is the will of God for you to help me, God almighty will bless and reward you abundantly. I need an honest and trust worthy person like you to entrust this transfer project unto.

My name is Mr. Carlos Benson , The Branch Manager of a Financial Institution of Farmers Bank & Trust Co. I got your contact through a reliable source called database through USA chamber of commerce. I am an American married with 3 kids.

I am writing to solicit your assistance in the transfer of US$9,500,000.00 Dollars. This fund is the excess of what my branch in which I am the manager made as profit last year (i.e. 2013 financial year). I have already submitted an annual report for that year to my head office NEBRASKA CITY as I have watched with keen interest as they will never know of this excess.

I have since, placed this amount of US$9,500,000.00 Dollars on Non resident account without a beneficiary (Anonymous) to avoid trace.

As an officer of the bank, I cannot be directly connected to this money thus I am impelled to request for your assistance to receive this money into your bank account on my behalf. I agree that 40% of this money will be for you as a foreign partner, in respect to the provision of a foreign account, and 60% would be for me. I do need to stress that there are practically no risk involved in this.

All I need from you is to stand as the original depositor of this fund so that the fund can be transferred to your account.

If you accept this offer, I will appreciate your timely response to me. This is why and only reason why I contacted you, I am willing to go into partnership investment with you owing to your wealth of experience,

So please if you are interested to assist on this venture kindly contact me back for a brief discussion on how to proceed.

Best regards,
Mr. Carlos Benson

+ 1 917 765 0459

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