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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: "Mr.Harry Benson" <infocontactmd@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 2015 02:05:09 -0700
Subject: Greetings

Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Mr.Harry Benson I write you this proposal in good faith.I am 48
years old married with two lovely kids. I am a devoted Christian and a man
of peace,

I wish to seek your assistance for the transfer of $1.5 Million Dollars
depository made by a foreign investor for an investment programmed that has
remained dormant for years now. I discovered that the account holder died
without making a WILL on the depository.

This money cannot be approved to a local bank account holder, but can only
be approved to a foreigner. If you will stand as next of kin to the fund,
it will be shared 50%/50%, as this is a TWO-men business deal transaction.
I shall provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help
you understand the transaction. I need your assistance and co-operation to
this reality as I have done my Home-work and fine tune the best way to
create you as the beneficiary of the fund. My position as the branch
manager of the bank will be used to advance this deal.

I will like you to provide immediately your full Names and Address, Date of
Birth, Occupation, Tel & Fax Numbers so that an Attorney will be able to
prepare the necessary documents and affidavit which will put you in place
as the next of kin. The Attorney will draft and carry out the notarization
of the WILL and also obtain the necessary documents and letter of
probate/administration in your favor for the claim.

I will appreciate your early reply for commencement of business. Contact me
for acknowledgment by E-mail and whereby you are not interested; please
indicate in your reply so that I can seek for the assistance of someone
else.

If this proposal is acceptable by you, I expect that you will not take
undue advantage of the trust I will bestow in you. I await your urgent
response. Do reply; me thru this e-mail infocontactmd@gmail.com I await
your urgent response.

Thanks with great regards.
Mr.Harry Benson

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