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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: "Mrs. Martha Eberle" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benmagu@mail.ru>
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 21:30:41 +0200
Subject: You will Understand this email to you

Attn: My Dear,
    I am Mrs. Martha Eberle, I am a US citizen, 48 years Old. I reside here in
Dripping Springs, Texas 78620. My address is as follows.Po Box 1195, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, United States, am thinking of relocating since I am now rich. I am one of those that took part in the Lottery in the United Kingdom many years ago and they refused to pay me, I had paid over $72,000USD while in the USA, trying to get my payment all to no avail.
 
So I decided to travel down to West Africa, Nigeria. with all my  Lottery/ Compensation Fund/Inheritance Fund documents, and I was directed to meet Barr. Bernard Magu , who is the FOREIGN REMITTANCE AWARD COMMITTEE, and I contacted him and he explained everything to me. He said whoever is contacting us through e-mails are fakea dn impersonaors.He took me to the paying bank for the claim of my Lottery/ Compensation Fund/Inheritance Fund payment.
   Right now I am the happiest woman on earth because I have received my Lottery/Compensation of $1,500,000.00USD (One  Million Five Hundred United States Dollars). Moreover, Barr. Bernard Magu showed me the full information of those that are yet to receive their payments and I saw your name and e-mail address as one of the beneficiaries that is why I decided to email you to stop dealing with those people, they are not with your fund, they are only making money out of you. I will advise you to contact Barr. Bernard Magu
You have to contact him directly with your Full name,home address and phone number on this information below.
 
FOREIGN REMITTANCE AWARD HOUSE
 
Name: Barr. Bernard Magu
Email: benmagu@gala.net
Phone: +2347090126941
 
   You really have to stop dealing with those people that are contacting you and telling you that your fund is with them, it is not in anyway with them, they are only taking advantage of you and they will dry you up until you have nothing.The only money I paid after I met Barr Olu Thomas was just $680 for the paper works, take note of that.
Once again stop contacting those people, I will advise you to contact         Barr. Bernard Magu so that he can help you to deliver your fund instead of dealing with those liars that will be turning you around asking for different kind of money to complete
your transaction.
 
Thank You and Be Blessed.
 
Mrs. Martha Eberle.
Po Box 1195,
Dripping Springs,
TeXas 78620.
United States

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