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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: <vanessaportugal16@zemaria16.com.br>
Reply-To: western_union5642@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2011 05:20:29 -0300
Subject: PICK UP YOUR $5,000.00USD TODAY!!!

Hello,

I write to inform you that we have already sent you $5,000.00USD through Western Union as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full compensation payment of $8,000,000 USD via Western Union Money Transfer by the United Nations (ECOWAS). This is because United Nations and (ECOWAS) are supporting individuals due to the worldwide economy meltdown.

I would have requested for your phone number to give you the information through phone but internet hackers were many. So i decided to email you the MTCN and sender name so that you can pick up this $5,000.00USD to enable us send another $5,000.00USD by tomorrow as you know that we will be sending you only
$5,000.00USD per day. The fund was send in the name which you use in opening your e-mail address. Please pick up this information and rush to any western union to pick up the $5,000.00USD and send us an email back to enable us send you another payment by tomorrow.

Email or call me once you picked up this $5,000.00USD today.

Manager: Mr Frank Amos
Email us on: western_union5642@hotmail.com
once you picked up this $5,000.00USD today

Here is the western union information to pick up the $5,000.00USD

SENDER'S NAME:..........Robert Norris
MTCN:.................814-032-3190
COUNTRY....Nigeria
AMOUNT:........................$5,000 USD
TEST QUESTION:............Honest
TEST ANSWER:..............Trust


I am waiting for your email or call once you pick up the $5,000.00USD,

Thanks
Manager: Mr Frank Amos

Online Announcer
Mrs Vanessa Portugal






Anti-fraud resources: