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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: Mrs Edith Benson <edithbenson2021@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2022 09:14:56 +0000
Subject: From Mrs. Edith Benson


Mrs. Edith Benson
09 BP 77 Abidjan 09

Dearest One

I am Mrs. Edith Benson (Phd. Msc, Fsd). I am married to Pharmacist Mr. Benson B.Muko. an Englishman who died years ago. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $7.5 Million (Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand) in one of the prime banks in Ivory Coast, which were derived from his vast estates and investments.

Presently, this money is still with the bank and My Doctor told me that I have limited days to live due to the cancerous problems I am suffering from. My mail may seem very pitiable, painful and sorrowful, but there is a favor I want you to do to my letter rather than pity me alone. This is to LOVE and CARE for given out this said on trust for investment and humanitarian aid, and you should as well take Good care of my only son, he is 16yrs while his name is ISAAC

I have decided to give 30% of this fund for the upkeep of widows, widowers, orphans, destitute, the down-trodden, physically challenged children, barren-women and persons who prove to be genuinely handicapped financially, also 20% for yourself and the balance for investment purpose and the future of my son.

I will be expecting to hear back from you as soon as possible to enable me to officially introduce you to the bank as the next beneficiary, thanks and remain blessed.

Yours Faithfully

Mrs. Edith Benson

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