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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: Martin Benjamin <martnbenjamin@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2006 10:34:13 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: BE URGENT




Dear Sigwald Schust,

Please note that I am very sincere to you right from day one. I can never involve my self in any kind of false business.

Just take my word and make the payment as planned.

I am waiting for your good response.

Regards

Martin
-------------------------------------------------------

Pardon me if I sound a bit insecure but can you confirm your authorisation for this first?

Not too long ago I had sent some payments to someone who assured me of an offer very closely the same as yours. He has still not replied my last 19 letters and this makes me wary about you.

I have had a hard day so please just inform me in simple English.

Mr. Sigwald Schust



--- Original email ---
Sigwald Schust=20
=20
The German government is never a problem that was why you were asked to=
send money for opening of an account here in London. From the account yo=
u can quietly be moving money down to your country in bits.
=20
And have you receive the document that i sent to you?
=20
I am waiting to hear from you urgent
=20
Regards
=20
Martin.

=09
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