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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: "Ben" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wilsonben911@yandex.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2017 15:03:35 -0600
Subject: Best Regards, 4-02 -2017

 
Dear ,
I am Wilson Ben an American citizen but resident London where I am currently hospitalized for treatment of Esophageal cancer and therefore, in need of your assistance. I intend to make donations to the poor and less privileged in your country as a matter of urgency and utmost importance to me and hereby crave your indulgence to read this letter with with all seriousness and the desired attention that it requires
I wish to emphasis that this proposed project is based on absolute trust, integrity and Sincerity of purpose in order to have a consensus of like minds.
In as much as I would not completely rule out the possibility of doubts in your heart in respect of this letter as a result of the activities of internet fraudsters which has made genuine and legitimate businesses a bit cumbersome,I will nevertheless, implore you to consider this piece as about my only way of reaching out you with a view to making you a potential partner.
At the moment, I do not have much hope as I have lost my voice already and think it is prudent that I begin to make  arrangement for the management of my estate as I have no  children to survive me or inherit my estate. It is my plan to give out my estate to  Charity and I am looking for some one to assist me do this  hence this mail.It is hoped that you partner with me on this.  I would appreciate a response as I do not have the luxury of time. The amount involved is USD 7.5 Million dollars.
Best Regards,
Willson Ben

Anti-fraud resources: