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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 Hark Benjamin <mrhben371@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mrh.ben001@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2011 18:11:55 +0000
Subject: INVESTMENT





Fund Investment

Hello Friend,

My names are Mr. Hark Benjamin, a senior staff and auditor with a reputable Bank. I have only written to seek your indulgence and assistance. I wish to make a deal of a transfer involving the sum of of £20,000,000 GB (Twenty Million British Pounds Sterling Only).

I am proposing to make this transfer to a designated bank account of your choice. Thus, i need your indulgence and support; I propose an offer of 40% of the total amount to be yours after the transfer has been successfully concluded.

Kindly reply me stating your interest and I shall furnish you with the details and necessary procedure with which to make the transfer. I anxiously await your response through my private email mrhark.ben0@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks and God bless.

Sincerely Yours,

Mr. Hark Benjamin

Anti-fraud resources: