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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "into your nominated bank account" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "transfer of your funds" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • western_union_money_transfer03@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: "WESTERN UNION" <wuwesternunionmoneytransfer65@gmail.com>
Reply-To: western_union_money_transfer03@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:24:51 -0700
Subject: Contact Fund Verification Department


Western Union(R)
Dear Sir/Madam,


There is an issue with the WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER UNITED KINGDOM in
the amount of $20,000.00 USD directed in cash credited to file
KTU/9023118308/03, at the owner of this email address. The INTERNATIONAL
MONETARY FUND contacted us for your compensation a couple of hours ago due
to your allocated security code.



They said that they choose to send it to an email address instead of a name.
We are unable to complete a transfer directed at an email address, so we
require some more information in order to complete this transfer.


FULL NAME:
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
MARITAL STATUS AND AGE:



In order to resolve this problem, please email via Western Union Solicitors
Fund Verification Department: (western_union_money_transfer03@hotmail.com)



As soon as this information is received, and you have complied with the
requirements of payment for the remittance permit $275 the money will be
sent to you via western union and give you the MTCN for the pick up.


Note: That this is not one of those Nigerian/African scams that all they
are after is to ripe you off your money and at the end you will not receive
your funds, but note that this is no scam and is directly from the
Management of Western Union Money Transfer Benin Republic Head Office and
our Motto is To Serve You Better.



Contact us on our website on www.westernunion.co.uk also note that you
would be responsible for any payment that is needed for the transfer of
your funds into your nominated bank account or at the counter directly from
the Western UnionTransferring Bank.



THE MANAGEMENT OF WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER, BENIN HEAD OFFICE.

DISPATCHED THIS DAY
Sincerely,
Mr. MARK JAMES

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam