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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: Blessing Benard <blessing_bn@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 21 May 2014 17:58:18 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Dearest


Dearest,
First of all, I seek your indulgence to solicit for your assistance concerning the content of my e-mail, although I am not comfortable discussing it through this manner due to lots of unsolicited mails on the internet presently, but I have no other medium to do so right now since the situation of my health is deteriorating.

I am Mrs. Blessing Benard, an aging widow suffering from long time illness.
My doctor has advised me that I may not live for too long. I have some funds which I inherited from my late husband, the sum of US$5.8 Million Dollars and I need a very honest individual that will use the fund for charity works, I found your profile and email address from the internet and decided to contact you.
I want a trust worthy person that will use this money for orphanage homes, hospitals, schools and propagation of the work of the almighty God.

Please if you are willing to carry on with this divine assignment kindly reply as soon as you receive this mail for more details.

God bless you,
Mrs. Blessing Benard.

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