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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: "Mr.Victor Dennis" <office---note321@att.net>
Reply-To: westernunion.rnunion@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 23:26:02 -0800 (PST)
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT VIA WESTERN UNION




Attention Beneficiary,
How are you today? I write to inform you that we have already sent you USD$7,000.00 dollars through Western union as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full compensation payment total sum of USD $850,000.00 via
western union by this governemnt.I was calling your telephone number to give you the information through phone but I couldn't get through that yesterday even this morning.Now, I decided to email you the MTCN and sender name so that
you will pick up this USD $7,000. 00 to enable us send another USD $7,000.00 today as you know we will be sending you only USD $7,000.00 per day.Please pick up this information and run to western union to pick up the USD $7,000.00
and call me back to send you another payment today, My direct phone line is +229 98182225, Emai( westernunion.rnunion@gmail.com ) call or email me once you picked up this USD $7,000.00 today. Here is the western
union information to pick up the USD $7,000.00,Senders Name: Kent Davis MTCN # 3818208797 TEST QUESTION: COLOR ANSWER:PURPLE Amount : USD $7,000.00Country: Benin-Republic.I am waiting for your call once you pick up
this USD $7,000.00,Please email me your direct telephone number because I need to be calling you once we send any payment for the informations. Thanks. Mr.Victor Dennis.

Anti-fraud resources: