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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: "CHIMMA JOHN" <chimmajohn32@gmail.com>
Reply-To: western_union005@sify.com
Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2011 19:30:30 +0400 (MSD)
Subject: WE HAVE SEND THE MONEY

How are you doing today? I write to inform you that we have already sent
you $7,500 USD dollars through Western union as we have been given the
mandate to transfer your full benefited sum of $4.5Million USD via our
office here (Western Union) by the United nations in conjunction with the
Benin Republic Government as a compensation.

I called to give you the information through phone as internet hackers
were many but i cannot reach you yesterday even this morning.So,I decided
to email you the MTCN and sender name so that can pick up this $7,500 USD
to enable us send another $7,500 USD by tomorrow as you knows we will be
sending you only $7,500 USD per day.

Kindly pick up this information and hurry up to the nearest western union
money office that is close to you and pick up this first payment that has
been sent to you now and as soon as you are done with the pick up kindly
get back to us in order for us to send you another payment by tomorrow,as
you know that we shall be sending you $7,500 USD par day.

Manager :Hon Anthony Wood
Email: western_union005@sify.com
Phone ::: +22998678910

Email me once you picked up this $7,500 USD today.Here is the western
union information to pick up the $7,500 USD,
Payment Information.
MTCN :_______________853-435-9544
Sender's Name:_________Rose Micheal
Text Question:__________What
Answer:_______________Blue
Amount Sent___________$7,500 USD

With due respect please get back to us urgently after the pick of the
money and if you have any problem you can as well contact us immediately.
Thanks Manager :Hon Anthony Wood
western union Office.

Anti-fraud resources: