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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: "WESTERN UNION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kentexman3@helixnet.cn>
Date: Sat, 26 May 2012 21:14:28 -0600
Subject: GET YOUR PAYMENT NOW

ATTENTION: DEAR CUSTOMER

Track your money first
www.westernunion.com

How are you today together with your family I’m very happy to inform you that your full compensation payment of $900,000.00USD has been deposited at the Western UnionWe have notify the regional manager to send you the MTCN only for you to verify but we will not give you the test questions and answer until you provide the requested payment of $255 for transfer fee so that we can swing into action to complete your transfer.

Our regional manager has assigned new details for you. You are to visit our website for tracking your MTCN.

https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global

MTCN: 1202244871
Sender's First Name: OBINNA
Sender's Last Name: MMADUEKE

BELOW IS THE WESTERN UNION PAYMENT INFORMATION.

Receiver Name......Precious Edokpolor
Country...............Nigeria
City.............Abuja
Question...............good
Answer......................for you
AMOUNT............$255 USD
SENDER'S NAME..................
MTCN.........................

Status: Available for pick up by receiver. (To Pick Up By You) Please let us know when you will remit the payment of $255 so that we can send u the details for remitting the payment to us.

Am waiting your urgent response.

Regards
Mr. Ken Texman
+234-805 159 9255
E-mail: kentexman3@helixnet.cn

Anti-fraud resources: