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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
  • "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
• This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "benson ruth" <ruth3benson@mailbox.hu>
Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 07:16:52 +0200
Subject: Friend in the Lord,


Friend in the Lord,

Please use this money for the Churches/Islamic and Less Privileged in the
world.

Greetings to you and your family in the name of God, in my search for a
reliable and God fearing person and having gotten your contact through
prayers and pains taking efforts via searching I made on the internet on my
bed side.

I am Mrs. Ruth Benson. A widow to late Mr. David Benson, who worked with Elf
Petroleum Company in France for nine years before he died in the year 2002.
We were married for eleven years without a child. My husband died after a
brief illness that lasted for only four days.

Before his death we were both born again Christian. Since his death I
decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the
Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of
$8.5 Million with a Bank in Benin Republic Presently this money is still in
the custody of the Bank in Benin.

Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Eight months
due to cancer problem, but I know that my doctor is not God. Having known my
condition I decided to donate this fund to a Church, Organization or good
person that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein.

I want an Organization or good person that will use this fund for
Orphanages, Widows and other peoples that need help.

I will also issue a letter of authorization to the bank that will prove you
the present beneficiary of this money,

Please if you can handle my late husband wishes in this to use this money as
I have told you then reply me back with your details,

1. Your Full Names
2.Your Age/ Sex
3.Your Marital Status
4.Your Occupation
5.Your Mobile Numbers/Fax
6.Your International Passport/Working ID/Driving Licence.

Thanks and Remain blessed in the Lord.
I remain yours sister in Christ.
Mrs. Ruth Benson.
May God bless you?

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam