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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: Western Union office <8am79@queensu.ca>
Reply-To: westternunion2010@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:11:21 -0800
Subject: Dear Value Customer

Western Union Money Transfer.
Dear Value Customer,

For 157th years, Western Union has been connecting people. At Western Union every sender and receiver is important to us. This year we are celebrating our 157th year Anniversary, western union in conjunction with United Nation and ECOWAS Nation support individuals financially as we celebrate 157th year Anninersary. We're rewarding our customers with prizes of $800,000.00.

Because you sent money on-line, from an agent location or received money through Western Union , you've been selected.
However, you are required to forward the following information for immediate payment of your $800.000.00

Full Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Age:
Marital Status:
Occupation:

You will be contacted by a Western Union in the next 24 hours as soon as you forward your required information and you will receive the $800,000.00 prizes immediately from us.

Save time, send money, earn rewards! Western Union is a service people trust.
ANNIVERSARY DAY
Thank you for using Western Union !
Mr. Kunle James
+2348057019329
EMAIL: westternunion2010@yahoo.com.hk

Anti-fraud resources: