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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: "Mrs. Linda Williams" <officefile.officefileoffice.of@gmail.com>
Reply-To: western-union1954@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2011 03:49:48 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Western Union Payment Center.


Office of the Operation Manager
Western Union Payment Center.
Head Office, Herbert Macaulay Way,
Wusih Zone 6, Porto-Novo FCT.
 
24 hours banking service. Please reflect on the time difference in Africa if contacting us from overseas.
 
Dear Customer,
 
Your payment folder has been removed from the annulment register.
The first transfer of $3000 was initiated and it is still available in the western union status for pick up by you but the reason it has not reflected in Western Union office was because;  Court of Appeal reported to the Ministry of Finance that you have not paid for the warrantee document that was issued under the Court of Appeal and supposed to be affix to all the documents on your Western Union Payment File before you can pick up any transfer from any Western Union branch in your vacinity.
 
Therefore, I want to let you know that this WARRANTEE DOCUMENT is the only thing delaying your money in the Western Union Money Transfer System and as soon as you pay the fee, you will start receiving the transfer on the expected amount of $15,000 everyday by receiving $3000 on each transfer.
 
Finally; If the transfer information of the $58 is confirmed from you today,  I shall go to the lawyer`s office tomorrow to pay them and collect the warrantee document together with those documents involved in your transaction.
 
After this process, you will immediately pick up the $3000 from Western Union office without any delay. Because; your $3000 is waiting on the Western Union Money Transfer blog until you pay the last fee $58.
 
For your convenience you can use our website to track your money transfer online.
To check the transfer; Visit Western Union Money Transfer Website and click tracking. Insert the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) Sender First Name and Sender Last Name. Then, you should click check status;;;;;;;;
www.westernunion.com
MTCN:  241 172 5360
Sender First Name:  Obeche
Sender Last Name:  Sylvester
Status :  Available for pick up by receiver. ( To Pick Up By You )
You can send the $58 by Western Union for our immediate action. You will pick up the $3000 within 3 hours after you paid the fee required from you for the WARRANTEE DOCUMENT.
CASHIER; Obeche Sylvester
Address; lot c, 281 Abomey way
City;    Cotonou
Country; Benin
Amount; $58
Send the MTCN and Sender Name & Address after the transfer has been initiated from Western Union bank or outlet.
 
Your urgent confirmation is required for another transfer today.
Best Regards.
 
Mrs. Linda Williams
Operation Manager
Western Union

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