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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: "Barr. Frank Duke" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <union@clix.pt>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:47:22 -0800
Subject: Official Payment Instruction Via Western Union

Chief of National Ozone Bureau
Direction of the Environment
Minist?re de l'Environnement
01 B.P. 3621, Cotonou, Benin

Attn: Beneficiary,

We are happy to inform you officially that the Board of Federal Ministry of Finance in conjunction with Dept Reconciliation committee Benin republic was notified about your lost contract funds in the amount of $1,200,000.00 United States Dollars after the meeting held on 29th March 2008. His Excellency, the president of Federal Republic of Benin (DR YAYI BONY) has instructed our committee to forward your lost payment through Western union money transfer for easier pickup and to avoid further unforeseen delay that could make your fund not to get to you in a timely manner.
Therefore be advised to contact the Western Union agent location for immediate confirmation of your details application as stated below.

Receiver's name: ______________
Receiver's Address: ______________
Mobile Tel phone: _________________
Personal Identity: ___________________

Their Contact information as follows:-
Contact Person: Mr. Serg Zabo
Diamond Bank Western Union Agent Location
Contact Email: union@clix.pt
Telephone: (+229)-97-659-118

We agreed to be paying you the maximum of $4,500 on daily basis till your total amount of US$1,200,000 is completed because of the laws with Western Union transfer of funds to another country.

Please if you are not the real beneficiary of this email address don't respond to this offer.

Sincerely Yours,

barr. Frank Duke
Chief of National Ozone Bureau
Direction of the Environment
Minist?re de l'Environnement

Anti-fraud resources: