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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: "Western Union" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wuonmomoney@hotmail.my>
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 22:46:27 +0800
Subject: Western Union MTCN !!

I wish to inform that We have sent $5000.00 USD already, that was given to you by the United Nations/Western Union, (East Asia) as we are mandated to send you the total sum of $900,000.00USD (Nine Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) through Western Union. The Following is the Western Union Money Control Number(MTCN): 2623853071

Send name,
MTCN: 2623853071
Sender`s First Name: Mark
Sender's Last Name:Johnson
Amount: 5000$
Address: 2E-450, Kampung Permatang
City : Kuala Selangor
Text Question:Good
Answer: YES


Best Regards
Mr Mark West
+60192357425
Email: wuonmomoney@hotmail.my

Anti-fraud resources: