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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: "Mr. Frank James" <biles.oooofice@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: "Mr. Frank James" <usambassadorto_beninrepublic@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 12:44:26 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: US Ambassador to Benin Republic


 US Ambassador to Benin Republic
Without mincing words, I am convinced 100% that you have had bitterexperience with various 'scammers' claiming to be high governmentofficials and thereby defrauding you of your 'hard-earned money'. Theactivities of these scammers has changed your perspective aboutconducting business on the internet, and you now believed there is nogenuine business that can be conducted on the internet. Well, I am anAmerican and the internet was created by Americans for the purpose ofcreating awareness for your products/services and conducting genuinebusiness with ease. I am fully committed to deliver the "diplomaticconsignment" to you in the United States in order to differentiatemyself from the many Benin Republic you have dealt with. I am a fullcitizen of the United States , but I was on a Foreign Mission here inBenin as a US Ambassador. Hence, I am making every efforts to ensurethat no citizen of the United States is cheated by Benin Republic .
Therefore, I need your utmost support and understanding to actualizethis dream. I also want you to understand that I do trust you and Iexpect you to show me the same trust and respect in return since trustis a 2-way street. On the other hand, trust is a relationship ofreliance. Trust also means being able to predict what other peoplewill do and what situations will occur.
Trust is both an emotional and logical act. Emotionally, it is whereyou expose your vulnerabilities to people, but believing they will nottake advantage of your openness. Logically, it is where you haveassessed the probabilities of gain and loss, calculating expectedutility based on hard performance data, and concluded that the personin question will behave in a predictable manner. In practice, trust isa bit of both. I trust you because I have experienced yourtrustworthiness by merely believing in what I have said, even when youhave not seen me, and because I have faith in human nature.
Frankly speaking, I understand that anyone in your shoes will feelbetrayed, but I still want you to show me your trust by giving me thebenefit of doubt on this delivery arrangement. My identity andpersonality is verifiable, and I promise to deliver the consignment toyou in the United States without any hitch. Please do not allow thismission to die off because of $180.00 dollars. I meant so well for youand I believe you will appreciate me more when you have finallyreceived your partial payment of $10.5million dollars upon my arrivalwith the package in United States . I will use my positionandpersonality to deposit the $10.5million dollars into your bankaccount in the United States without questioning from the financialmonitoring authorities, since all documentations proving thelegitimacy of the funds has been processed.
Please don't see me as one of the numerous dubious Benin republic youhave dealt with in the past. I am a different person entirely and Icome from a different continent. I have the American spirit in me andI hate cheaters. I promise to always uphold the national unity of theUnited States . Please reply back ASAP and let me know yourpossibility of sending the $180.00 dollars today.
You can send it via western union Or Money Gram with below name.
Reciever's name.........MIKE OGUEJECountry..........Benin Republic,City...........Cotonou,Text Question.......God?Answer..........Bless,Amount ........$180.00 usd, OnlyMtcn no.......Sender'sname.....
Respectfully yours,Mr. Frank JamesEmails(usambassadorto_beninrepublic@yahoo.com)US Ambassador to Benin Republic

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