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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: "IMF AGENT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <imf.agent@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:32:02 -0800
Subject: Re: WESTERN UNION PAYMENT UPDATE.

Fund Office United Nations
885 Second Ave, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10017
SWIFT: IMFDUS3WXXX

Attn: Beneficiary,

This is to officially inform you that your fund part payment of One Hundred And Fifty Thousand United States Dollars ($150,000.00USD) has been forwarded to Western Union for immediate transfer to you as soon as you meet up with their demands of $200 transfer charges .

Contact: Mr. Mike Madu
Tel: 00234 7042188599
Email: wumtnig09@gmail.com

Confirm to him your name, phone number and address to enable him send your money to you.

PLEASE DON'T BOTHER TO WRITE HIM IF YOU ARE NOT READY/WILLING TO PAY THE $200 TRANSFER CHARGES.

THANKS FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION.

Mr. Michael Bell,
Senior Resident

Anti-fraud resources: