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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 <charlie@papercor.co.za>
Reply-To: <Payment@westernunionn.de.nu>
Date: Sun, 18 May 2014 03:01:55 -0700
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS, WESTERN UNION WINNER!

WESTERN UNION FOUNDATION-NIGERIA
Western Union Foundation Grants 2014:
Website: www.westernunion.com
[HEAD OFFICE] LAGOS,NIGERIA
______________________________________

" DEAR WESTERN UNION CUSTOMER "

YOU HAVE BEEN AWARDED $950,000.00 USD BY THE WESTERN UNION FOUNDATION NIGERIA ALONG SIDE WITH 2 OTHER WESTERN UNION USERS WORLDWIDE, WHO HAS BEEN USING WESTERN UNION SERVICES IN SENDING MONEY TO FRIENDS,RELATIVES/FAMILY OR BUSINESS PURPOSE.
YOU WILL BE ISSUED AND SENT A WESTERN UNION MONEYWISE VISA CARD WORTH $950,000.00 USD:

NOTE: The Delivery/Courier Of Your WESTERN UNION MONEYWISE VISA CARD is FREE !

Your Reference No: WUF/NG97715/400BQNG

For More DETAILS, Please Contact:

Name: MR.ABEL ANDERSON
Contact E-mail: Payment@westernunionn.de.nu
Office Lines: (+234) 8085567831

CONGRATULATIONS FROM WESTERN UNION!!!

© 2014 Western Union Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
=================================================

Anti-fraud resources: