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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: Former Ambassador of USA to Benin <beninpostoffice4@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Former Ambassador of USA to Benin <menter_s@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Jul 2015 21:36:05 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Former Ambassador of the United States to Benin


Former Ambassador of the United States to Benin,
Department of of State.

I am Pamela E. Bridgewater the Former United States Ambassador to Republic of Benin, I came down here in this country Benin Republic 2 days ago for an ECOWAS meeting and I was searching for some files that I left in the office before I left and I found out that you and 5 other American beneficiaries have not received your ATM Visa Card worth of $15.5 million since 2 years ago, I asked the present Ambassador Mr. James Knight what happened that you have not receive your fund, and he said you refused to pay the delivery fee $960.00 due to the past experience you encountered with frauds.  

I am convinced 100% that you have had bitter experience with various 'scam claiming that they have some funds in your name and using the opportunity to be defrauding you of your 'hard-earned money'. The activities of these scam has changed your perspective about conducting business on the internet, and you now believed there is no genuine business that can be conducted on the internet.  Well, I am an American and the internet was created by Americans for the purpose of creating awareness for your products/services and conducting genuine business with ease.

Well, as US former Ambassador, I am doing all my best to ensure that no citizen of the United States is cheated by Benin Republic. Therefore I have made a great effort to have a meeting with the president of Benin republic Mr. Thomas Boni Yayi. After my brief meeting with the president concerning the UNPAID and UNCLAIMED FUNDS to the 5 beneficiary including you, they president assured me that if you can be able to pay 10% of the CHARGE AMOUNT that he will order the Immediate Release of your Funds and it will be given to me to bring it to you by myself when coming back to the state after the ECOWAS meeting in the next 2 days.

The 10% of $960 dollars is $96 Dollars only and I will advise you to reply back ASAP and let me know your possibility of sending the $96 US Dollars today for the RELEASING of your ATM Visa Card fund so that I will I bring your ATM Visa Card to you by myself when coming back to the state after the ECOWAS meeting in the next 2 days.

Note, I have only 3 days to stay in this country, therefore you should reply as urgent as you receive this message.I will be waiting for your prompt responds indicating your possibility of sending the $96 US today. 

Regards,
Pamela E. Bridgewater
US Former Ambassador to Republic of Benin.

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