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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: "FRANK BENJAMIN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <frankbenjamin119600@outlook.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2017 23:18:01 -0700
Subject: CO-OPERATION

Dear Sir/Madam,
Request for Co-operation on a Private Business Relationship
 
 
I know you would be surprised to read from someone relatively unknown to you.I am also aware that this is certainly not a
 
conservative way of approach to establish a relationship of trust, but you will realize the need for my action.I am
 
Barrister Frank Benjamin an attorney to a contractor with a petroleum corporation.I like to inform you that my client who
 
executed contract worth Millions of USA Dollars died in an auto crash with the entire family.
 
My main reason for contacting you now is to crave your indulgence to assist me as a foreigner to receive the contract amount
 
as the next of kin.The corporation has informed me that the payment is now ready.I have been contacted by the petroleum
 
corporation to present the next of kin to the late contractor who successfully executed contract awarded to him by the
 
corporation.
 
From the time of the contract award to the actual contract execution and completion,the petroleum corporation knows me as
 
the contractors lawyer/attorney.It is for this reason that the corporation contacted me to present the contractors next of
 
kin to them for immediate release of the contract payment.I am the only person authorized to present the next of kin of the
 
late contractor to the corporation.Bear in mind that if I don't present any one to the petroleum
corporation,they will have no option than to confiscate the money.
 
For the above reason,I decided to contact you so that we can have a mutual understanding to enable me present you as the
 
next of kin to the late contractor so that the contract amount can be paid to you.
However, if this business proposal offends your moral ethics, do accept my sincere apology, or if on the contrary you wish
 
to achieve this goal with me, kindly get back to me with your interest for further details.
Remember that this is for our mutual benefits and requires utmost confidentiality.All other information regarding to this
 
business shall be made available to you on request.I shall get back to you as soon as I receive your response and
 
willingness to partner with me in this venture.Please do send me the following:
Your Name In Full------------------------
Private Tel & Fax Numbers-----------------------
Your Age------------------------------------
Home Or Office Address:----------------------
Occupation:--------------------------------------
 
Until I hear from you stay blessed.
 
Regards
Barrister Frank Benjamin

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