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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: "WILSON BEN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wilson.t91@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2016 02:14:42 -0500
Subject: Yours sincerely,September 16th2016

Dear ,
I am Wilson Ben presently on admission for  o esophagus cancer and from the look of things I will not recover from it as I have lost my voice already. As things stands now, I am making arrangement’s for  my estate as I have no children to survive me or inherit my estate. It is my plan to give out my estate to  Charity and I am looking for some one to assist me do this  hence this mail.
It is hoped that you partner with me on this.  I would appreciate a response ASAP as I do not have the luxury of time. The amount involved is USD 7.5 Million
i look forward for your urgent response
Yours sincerely,
Wilson Ben

Anti-fraud resources: