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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: Charles Hossou <phonenumber35@gmail.com>
Reply-To: fjustlaw@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2023 19:09:41 +0100
Subject: URGENT!

Dearest,

My name is Mr. Charles Hossou of HOSSOU ATTORNEYS, we specialize in
corporate and legal claims. I am contacting you in regards to a
deceased client who died in an auto accident in Parakou, Republic of
Benin in March 2016; He was a citizen of your country and shares the
same last name with you.

Before his death, my client had (US$ 35 Million) with a financial
institution here in Republic of Benin; In view of the Republic of
Benin Law of Succession, claims of this nature can only be made by a
surviving relative/ family member. Unfortunately he had no will at the
time of death. All efforts made through some Private Investigators
have revealed no link to any of his family member, but your name came
up because you share same last name.

With the applicable law of succession there is a duration within which
such claims must be applied for, and as a result I am under pressure
to present the next of kin or a relative who will claim the funds, and
failure to do this would legally allow the financial institution to
report the funds to the Republic of Benin Treasury as unclaimed funds
(Lack of supersede). It is therefore my intention to introduce you as
the next of kin/beneficiary, Please note that I'm legally equipped
with all necessary information/documentations concerning the funds.

Upon your decision of acceptance, the release of these funds in your
favor as beneficiary will be processed within two weeks. You would be
entitled to 40% of this fund. If you are willing to work with me on
this, please contact me via email. In conclusion, it's my concern to
demand your ultimate honesty, co-operation and confidentiality to
enable us conclude this transaction. I assure you that this process
would be executed under a legitimate arrangement that would legally
protect you and I from any breach of any law. Please note; what drives
my interest here is not greed rather it would make no sense to allow
this huge amount of money to go to waste when we can take advantage of
the situation, and honestly if we don’t do this; it will still end up
in private pockets of people in government.

Best regards,
Mr. Charles Hossou

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