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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: "Mr Benson Bruce" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrbenson.bruce@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 1 May 2013 16:13:25 -0700
Subject: British Urgent Payment Notification!!

Data Processing & Public Administration
British Ballot Commission
London-United Kingdom

ATTN:

May we kindly inform you that During our auditing and opening of all financial Ballot files this year 2013. We discovered from the records of outstanding foreign ballot beneficiaries due for payment with the Government of England in The year 2012/2013. Your names and details were next on the list of those who will receive their funds from the British ballot exercise conducted by us using a nine years old girl in an email random ballot selection draw, All the Ten beneficiaries of this exercise have all been notified.

I wish to officially inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter with information needed for further re-verification. Also note that from the record in our files, your outstanding ballot payment is £10,000,000.00.(TEN MILLION BRITISH POUNDS STERLING).

Kindly re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record and also re-confirm the information below to enable this office proceed and finalize your funds remittance without further delays.

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.
5) Copy of Drivers License I .D.

As soon as the above information are received, your payment will be Made available to you via an international certified bank draft or wired transfer directly to your account, which will be delivered to your doorstep for your confirmation by our Authorized payment department, Immediately you re-confirm the information requested the paying bank will contact you without further delay on your funds release.

Best regards,

Mr Benson Bruce
Processing dept Director
British Ballot Commission

Anti-fraud resources: