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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: "Ben Solomon" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benslonzoesq2@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2017 02:31:33 -0800
Subject: Offer

Hello,

Your name with email contact is listed as beneficiary to my late clients estates,
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over some Years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the Deceased since he has no relatives left and you have the same last name so that his estates can be released to you as the next of kin to my late client.
For both of us to share the estates, I propose 55% to my self and 35% to you for your expected assistance,please get back to me for further details.

Yours Faithfully,
Ben Solomon

Anti-fraud resources: