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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 <bo26@oilwpilnes.us>
Reply-To: <wpayment0@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2016 11:21:49 +0100
Subject: WESTERN UNION PAYMENT

Western Union Payment Office
West African Zonal Headquarter
Cotonou Benin Republic
Phone : +22998429596

ATTENTION DEAR ,

The Western Union head office sitting in Cotonou Benin Republic is giving out US$500,000
to our Christmas BONANZA WINNER . This BONANZA is for those who might have sent money to
Africa recently or before using MONEY GRAM or WESTERN UNION . You are one of our Christmas
BONANZA WINNER , You have to email us back with the only winner's card fee of $50
only . You can track your first payment of $3000,00 below using our sender's name and MTCN .
Click the link below .

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

FIRST NAME____ Chikeluo

LAST NAME____ Okechukwu

(MTCN) 2819352870

AMOUNT SENT: $3000,00

The Total funds on your name here is $500,000.00. Quickly Get back to us to enable us Give
you the name you will send the $100 to , After that , We will give you the payment's Question
and Answer so that you can pickup the first available funds today .
You can Email us on: westernunion_payment@yahoo.com

Sincerely Regards
MR .PAUL TURNER
Western Union Payment Office

Anti-fraud resources: