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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: "UNO & Western Union New Year Promo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mkscott3@sify.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 11.34.19 +0100
Subject: Your Western Union Is Ready For Pick Up Now

Attn:

This is to notify you that the management board of the United Nations Compensation commission made a payment of $5000.00 USD to you as a new year bonus as one of the most prominent users of the internet for the year starting 2011.

We are mandated to send you the total sum of $800,000 USD through Western Union But, you will be receiving $5000 each day till it will complete $800,000.00usd in total. Our main objectives is to make sure you receive a subtantial amount as early as possible this new year so you and your family can have a wonderful year ahead.

Furthermore, you have to go ahead and pick up the first payment of $5000 at any western union office close to you with these information below and after which you are expected to get bac to Mr. Richard Flemming so he can process and send you the next payment:

Sender's Name: First Name: PAUL Last Name: SMITH
MTCN :089 789 0013
Text Question: who
Answer: Me
City Where Payment Is Sent From: Sydney
Country: Australia
Amount Sent: $5000

Finally, after picking up the first $5000 get back to the officer in charge of this transaction in person of Mr. Richard Flemming
Contact e-mail: mkscott3@sify.com
Tel: +234 705 500 0827.

Regards
Mrs. Mariam Dennis
Managerment Western Union

Western Union® Welcome to Western Union Send Money Worldwide.


Anti-fraud resources: