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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 Lucy Benson <lucybeson3@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: lucybeson3@outlook.com
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2017 15:10:16 +0000
Subject: Greetings to you,


Greetings to you,

I am Mrs.Lucy Benson, a widow suffering from long time illness.I have some
funds I inherited from my late husband, the sum of  ($3.5 Million
Dollars)  And I needed a very honest and sincere Individual or cooperate
organization that will use the fund for work of humanity,

I want you to take 30% of the total money for your personal use While 70%
of the money will go to charity" people in the street and helping the
orphanage. I grow up as an Orphan and I don't have anybody as my family
member, just to endeavor that the house of God is maintained. Am doing this
so that God will forgive my sins and accept my soul because these
sicknesses have suffered me so much. My late Husband made me to understand
that Is good to remember the orphanage home the widows and the poor in
need. Thanks and God bless you.

Best regards,
Mrs. Lucy Benson

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