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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: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: dr.kwesiben55@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:41:51 +0530 (IST)
Subject: INVESTMENT PROPOSAL


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: benakwesi124@yahoo.in



- From: Dr. kwesi benson. I am Dr. kwesi benson, chairman of the contract-awarding & auditing committee of the economic community of west African states (ECOWAS) with its fund headquarters in Accra Ghana.. I am making this contact with you based on the committee need for an individual/company who is willing to assist us with a solution to a money transfer. This amount $45.5m represents the balance of the total contract value executed on behalf of ECOWAS for supply of hospital equipments from foreign contracting firm, which we the officials over-invoiced deliberately, of which the actual sum has been paid. Should you be willing to assist us in the transaction?Your share of the sum will be 30% of the $45.5million, 65% for us and 5% for taxation and miscellaneous expenses. To enable us commence, You should provide the followings for immediate kickoff of this deal if it interests you; your company's names with complete address, tel. and fax numbers.Thank you and God bless!
, as i wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation. Yours Faithfully, Dr. kwesi benson.


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