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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: "U.S. EMBASSY" <riekot113@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: "U.S. EMBASSY" <airportsembassy@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 May 2014 01:15:34 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Your Package Arrived For Final Delivery


U.S. Embassy Cotonou, Benin
Office: James A. Knight (Diplomat)
United States Ambassador to the Republic
Rue Caporal Bernard Anani-BP 2012, Cotonou Benin


 Hours of Operation
 Monday to Thursday:
 8:00-12:30/1:30 - 5:00 P.M
 Friday: 8:00 A.M. - 2:30P.M


Urgent please

This is to officially inform you that a sealed consignment box scheduled for delivery to you with above deposit details was brought to our custody here in U.S. Embassy Cotonou, Benin by Courier Company Director this morning for safe keeping and now waiting for your confirmation before the final delivery will take place to your home town.

The consignment box in question contained $20.5Million and was brought to the embassy here for safe keeping since it was intercepted by narcotic agency due to unsecured shipping schedule.

However, it's our responsibility to protect the interest of every good citizen and will advice you to stop every further communication concerning this transaction because we have finalized to deliver through our correspondent embassy in your country pending your immediate response with cash payment of $1,500.00 for securing Departure and arrival permit (waiver's license) required to make sure that your consignment box is free from inspection at any transited airports until is delivered to your address.

Also reconfirm below information as your present and direct contact upon responding back to us avoiding wrongful delivery.

1. Your Full Name:
2. Current home address:
3. Direct phone Number(s):
4. A Copy of Your Int'l Passport or Driver's license for Identification at point of collection:

Moreover, you are expected to send the waver's license fee of $1,500.00 directly to our office here in Benin Republic to the name of our administration officer Mr. Paul Udeh, through faster means of western union or Money Gram to facilitate process of delivery to your address.

Receive By the Name: Paul Udeh
Located at: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani BP 2012, Cotonou, Benin
Text Question: Safety
Text Answer: Safety

The transfer (MTCN or REFERENCE NUMBER) with other necessary information must be provided for easy receive and immediate procurement of your box license number for easy waver to your address

Once you notify us with above requirement, we shall schedule delivery of your sealed box fund to your home address through our correspondent embassy in your city and you will be contacted for personal collection at your door step.

Kindly send your response as soon as you read this message as I anticipate your urgent respond.

Thanks & Sincerely Yours,

Ambassador James Knight
United States Ambassador to the Republic of Benin

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