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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 Guei" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ben2225@voila.fr>
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:57:18 +0100
Subject: YOUR WU MCTN

Good day,

I was instructed by my boss to send you these Western Union information for you to be able to receive part of the fund that was supposed to be transferred to your account.

Senders Names: Ben Guei.
Senders Country: Cote D'Voire
MTCN: #6565587802
Amount Sent: $1520 USD.
Text Question: color
Text Answer: green

Senders Names: Ben Guei.
Senders Country: Cote D'Voire
MTCN: #1073456707
Amount Sent: $2540 USD.
Text Question: color
Text Answer: green

Senders Names: Ben Guei.
Senders Country: Cote D'Voire.
MTCN: #8650901109
Amount Sent: $3930 USD.
Text Question: color
Text Answer: green


Senders Names: Ben Guei.
Senders Country: Cote D'Voire.
MTCN: #8657111120
Amount Sent: $5270 USD.
Text Question: color
Text Answer: green

I am out of town and I will not be back until 13th of December 2009. Just go to any Western Union out-let close to you and collect the money and incase you have any problem kindly contact the Western Union agent at the e-mail below for help Email: paycode01@sify.com

Note: I will not be able to respond to your email, if you have any problem contact the Western Union agent via the information above.

Thanks,
Ben Guei

Anti-fraud resources: