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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: western union <file----0011489756@att.net>
Reply-To: western_union100188@live.com
Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:48:54 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dear Beneficiary ,





WELCOME TO WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
Send Money Worldwide
BANK OF AFRICA COCOTOMEY
Tel: (00229) 93002840/ Fax: (00229) 99 70 5 74 0
BENIN REPUBLIC.
Email:  western_union100188@live.com
Website: www.westernunion.com
 
 
Dear Beneficiary ,
 
In reference to the general consensus meeting held with The Benin Foundation De France (B.F.D.F),UNHCR ORGANIZATION and the Ministry of Finance which the theme was to settle all standing Compensation/Grant Debts owed by UNHCR ORGANIZATION and Government and as well conduct and issue compensation/grant to the new beneficiaries.
 
Your grant donation information is, reference No: STH/UNO/WBO/MM-2011, File No: GT/55/1209SW. The selection process was carried out through our computerized email selection system from a database of over 200,000 email addresses drawn from all the continents of the world. 
 
Therefore you are a beneficiary of compensation/Grant funds of 800,000.00Euros. The funds was arranged by the said Organizations to be transferred via Western Union Money Transfer. In accordance to the engagement agreement with the various Ministries, The Western Union here in Benin Republic has limited transfer rate because of International communities and Anti-Terrorist/Drug Law so, we are only permitted to transfer 3,750.00Euros daily until your total funds completely paid.
 
Please send to us your full names and address with city and country as stated below to receive your compensation funds as we are only permitted to transfer 3,750.00Euros daily.
 

Receiver Name-------------
Country--------------
City----------------
Phone--------------
Test question-------------
Answer----------------
We await your prompt response.
 
Rev David Mike
Senior Management - WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
Route Inter Etat Cotonou-Lome
Cocotomey, 08BP0879
Tel: (00229) 93 00 28 40  Fax: (00229) 99 70 57 40
BENIN REPUBLIC.
Email:western_union100188@live.com
Website: www.westernunion.com

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