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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: "Mr Stephen Nathanel" <PHOENIX_9702@YAHOO.COM>
Reply-To: western.union003@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 06:41:10 -0500
Subject: Dear Western Union Customer,

Dear Western Union Customer,

You have been awarded with the sum of $50,000 USD
by our office, as one of our customers who use Western
Union in their daily business transaction.

This award has been selected through the internet, where
your e-mail address was indicated and notified. Please
provide Mr. Stephen with the following details
listed below so that your fund will be remitted to you
through Western Union.

1. Name:______
2. Address________
3. Country:_______
4. Phone Number____
5. Occupation:________
6. Sex:_________________
7. Age___________________

Mr. Stephen
Tel: +229-99483448
E-mail: western.union003@yahoo.com.ph

As soon as these details are received and verified,
your fund will be transferred to you. Thank you, for
using western union.

Anti-fraud resources: