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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: "Mr Benjamin Watford" <info@valet.it>
Reply-To: benjamin_watford@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2017 09:53:12 -0700
Subject: please do get back to me

Sir,
Sorry, if this mail comes to you as a surprise.
I am Mr.Benjamin Watford, a Senior staff in the accounts management section with one of the prime banks here in UK. A dormant account has been discovered with huge funds and the account owner is deceased.Why I contacted you is for me to seek your consent to present you to my bank as the beneficiary of the deceased account.I have never partake in such act since the inception of my carrier as a banker. But an about to put in my retirement paper. so, i need to make out something for myself if am to retire after this transaction with you.The only thing i need from you is nothing but your sincerity.

Am hoping to hear from you soonest so, that i will be able to guild and as well forward all the necessary information's concerning the account owner.

Thanks,
Hoping to get your response.

Regards,
Mr Benjamin Watford.

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