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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: "Dr.David Garry" <offic------da968@att.net>
Reply-To: w.unionbenin102@live.fr
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:23:41 -0800 (PST)
Subject: ATTN, Dear Benficiary




Office Address: 1704 New Market Road Cotonou Benin Rep
E-mail: w.unionbenin102@live.fr
Dr James Wilson
Tel +229 9863-1857
Office +229 9863-1857
 
ATTN, Dear BenficiaryI want to inform you that we have already sent you $5000.00 US Dollars through Western union as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full over due payment total sum of $800.000.00 USD, via western union by the Ministry of Finance. I tried reaching you on phone to give you   the payment information on phone but I couldn't get through yesterday,
 
So I decided to email you the MTCN and sender name so that you can pick up the $5000.00 to unable us send another $5000.00 today as you know we will be sending you $5000.00 only per day. And it was agreed that you will pay the transfer charge sum of $75 before the release of the payment to you.today
 
Please pick up this information and locate any western union around to pick up the $5000.00 and call the Operation Manager Dr James Wilson because he is the person in charge of your payment, and he can send you another payment today once you contact him, phone line +229 9863-1857,E-mail: ( w.unionbenin102@live.fr ) contact him once you picked up the $5000.00today.
 
Below is the western union information to pick up the $5000.00; which you will be receiving daily after you sent them their transfer charge of$75 and it will serve as re-confirmation of your payment file in their office.
 
Here is the Senders Information;First Senders Name:... sam
Second Sender's Name...  peter
MTCN:........4752283326
Text Question......A
Answer.......B
Website: www.westernunion.comThey will be waiting to hear from you with the transfer charge payment of $75 today;
 
Receiver Name....Emmanuel Okagbue  
Country------Benin Republic
Your. City-----Cotonou
Your.Question----How Long
Your. Answer-----Today
Amount_______$75 Dollars 
Sender's Name............
MTCN No#....................
Sender's Conutry.............Beadvice that $75 transfer charge is compulsory as they told me that is the only money you will pay until you receive your payment completely.Endeavor to E-mail your direct telephone number because you will callonce the payment informations is sent to you.
 
Regards
Dr David Garry

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