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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.Douglas M Phil," <"www."@viola.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr.Douglas M Phil," <westernunion353@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2017 12:24:40 +0900 (JST)
Subject: WESTERN UNION ATTENTION MY DEAR FRIEND

Attention,

We have deposited the check of your fund ($2.5 USD) through Western Union department after our finally meeting today regarding your fund, All you will do is to contact Western Union Director Mr. Douglas M Phil. via E-mail (westernunion353@gmail.com) He will give you direction on how you will be receiving the funds daily. Remember to send him your Full information to avoid wrong transfer such as,

Receiver's Name:----------
Address:-------------------
Country: ---------------
Sex:--------------------------
Phone Number: -----------

Though, Agent Mr. Dan Ginson. has sent $5000 in your name today so contact Mr.Douglas M Phil, call him +229-9821-6752 as soon as you receive this email and tell him to give you the Mtcn, sender name and question/answer to pick the $5000,And remember that your file payment is dormant we will activate it,but you will only pay for the activation I don’t know how much it will cost, Please let us know as soon as you received all your fund,

Best Regards.
WESTERN UNION ATTENTION MY DEAR FRIEND

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