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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: "OFFICE OF F.M.F BENIN" <johnpeter1999@cantv.net>
Reply-To: westien.union.paysandu@live.com
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 07:09:00 -0430 (VET)
Subject: CONGRATULATION,Dear Owner.confirm your first payment

 
Dear Owner

We have started paying you the amount of $1.5M u.s Dollars Through Western Union,Bear it in mind that you will be receiving $5000 us.d each transfer, Contact Western Union Director Rev, Mark James to release your first payment with the information stated bellow :

E-Mail:westien.union.paysandu@live.com
Phone number:+229-6801-8136

This is your first payment Information :

Sender's First Name, David
Sender's Second Name,Ritchie
Ref # 7276300553
Amount Sent $5000.00

To confirm your first payment copy this link : http://www.wu.com/content/wucom/Countries/en_BJ/track-transfer-result.html?transactionStatus=AVAILABLE&progressIndicator=3&statusMessage=Your%20money%20transfer%27s%20ready%20to%20be%20picked%20up%20at%20any%20Western%20Union%20agent%20location. :and paste it on a new tab it will appear to you as Money Arrived or Available To Pick up By Receiver.

Thanks From F.M.F Office Benin

Anti-fraud resources: