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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: "infor@benmartinsinvestments" <ben_martins202@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2006 20:03:20 +0100 (BST)
Subject: FROM BEN MARTINS, FUNDS FOR INVESTMENT!!!!!!


Attention: Amarjit Singh

Date: 11nd July/2006

INRODUCTION

I would like to start off by introducing myself. I am Ben Martins, I
run a private financial consultant firm. My head office is in London,
United Kingdom, but I also do have branch offices in some other
countries.

PURPOSE OF LETTER

First of all, it may please you to know that I got your contact through
a private search engine online.
I represent some high profile clients, both home and overseas.
The British Government and their home government is currently clamping
down on such people for corruption and many of them are looking for
investors abroad to help them secure their funds otherwise they stand
to lose
everything they ever worked for.

These funds runs into several millions of dollars, you will be
adequately rewarded if you can secure the funds and if you are good at
turning over capital on a medium term basis.
Should you be interested, please send us an email on the email address
below for further information that will help you make your decision.
Regards
Ben Martins


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