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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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Fraud email example:

From: "Mike Ben" <mikeben1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: revmikeben@jmail.co.za
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2005 08:46:42 +0000
Subject: From Rev Mike Ben.

From Rev Mike Ben.
SHELL TOWERS IKOYI LAGOS,
Lagos, Nigeria.
Tel/Fax 234 1 7761179
Alternative email address..
revmikeben@jmail.co.za
Good day,
My name is Rev Mike Ben, i am the chairman of the
contract award committee, federal ministry of petroleum resources Nigeria. I am in search of an agent to assist in
the transfer of {$15,400.000.00} FIFTEEN MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS.
And subsequent investment in properties in your country. you will be required to (1) Assist in the transfer of the
said sum into your account (2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment (3) Assist us in purchase of properties.
If you decide to render your service to us in this regard,
30% of the total sum will be offerred to you. 10% will be set aside for any expences encountered during
the transfer. Pls, quickly get back to me for moor information.
Your faithfully,
Rev Mike Ben.

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