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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: Mrs Marie Wambe <cherryshu2010@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrswambe@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2015 20:37:05 +0100
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE

Cotonou, Benin Republic,
West Africa.
Email: mrswambe@gmail.com

Dear Sir ,

I make this distress call with heart full of tears to seek your urgent
help. I am Mrs. Marie Wambe , the wife of Late Major General Antonio Wambe,
former minister of defence and chief of army staff of the republic of
Guinea Bissau in the defunct Government of Joao Bernado Viera. My husband
died during the recent coup d'etat, which deposed the former head of state.
In the wake of the incidence, I fled together with my family to Cotonou
Benin Republic and took refuge to avoid further oppression from the
incumbent government who have seized all my family's properties and seized
all accounts belonging to the allies of the deposed president.

Due to this unfortunate situation, I am desperately searching for a
reliable and honest partner in your person to assist me in receiving as
quickly as possible, the sum of Eleven Million United States
Dollars(US$11,000,000.00) which is the only money that is still safe and
intact deposited by my late husband in a security company in Benin
Republic on my behalf and in my name too.

I am therefore passionately requesting your kind help to move this money
out of Africa, for safety to your country under your care. I have
solidified every arrangement to prepare Legal Documents making you the
trustee and beneficiary of this fund for a hitch free withdrawal, if I will
get your positive response to this urgent plea my good friend. As we meet
in due course, we shall be discussing further on other important issues
regarding mutual business relationship and possibility of securing a
resident-permit for me and my children in your country.

I am not comfortable and do not feel safe staying here in Cotonou due to
security reasons as my life is at risk. I must confess that I repose much
hope and trust in your helping me out of this ugly crises.

I am equally willing my good friend to compensate your kind efforts and
co-operation in assisting me and my Children with One million United State
Dollars (US$1,000,000.00) only, if you can offer me this help. Please be
informed that I am contacting you based on trust. Please do not disappoint
me, your security and reputation is highly guaranteed; absolute
confidentiality should also be adhered to. Please! I pray your urgent
assistance. Contact me immediately if you are willing to offer me this
help, also send to me your full name and address, private phone and fax
number so that we can proceed immediately with the change of Legal
documents that covers this transaction.

This transaction would be covered by the High Court of Justice Of Benin
Republic for your assurance and utmost guarantee. This is Legal and Hitch
free.

Waiting to hear from you.

Best regards,
Mrs. Marie Wambe
(In Benin Rep.)

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