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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: "MR.JOHNSON RALPH" <wu--------1911@att.net>
Reply-To: <transfedeparttment@w.cn>
Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:01:04 -0700
Subject: Payment Notification

Good Day My Beloved Beneficiary.
Please i want to inform you that your fund was brought to my desk because the director of the WESTERN UNION MONEY trasnfer said that they should divert your fund to the government treasury account just because that you can not pay the trasnfer fee, As result of the information we got i told them to wait untill i hear from you today so that i will know the reason why you rejected such amount of money $1.7m which is your over due inheritance payment just because of transfer fee.

But the reason why i sent you this email now is that you still have the chance to claim your fund if you could send the$58 today because i have already arranged the special courier company which will deliver your fund to you within 2days with your tracking number to see when it is coming to you but failling to do this,they will have power over your fund by Friday morning and am very sorry if you failed as this is the last chance.

Please here is the western union information in the name of my messanger to avoid delay in receiving your fund and remember that i have done my best for you and i will make sure that your fund get to your hand next tomorrow.
i went you to call me if you send the money to him so that i will call him,the number to call is this+229-963540621 ok,do it now

EMAIL....(transfedeparttment@w.cn

Receivers Name:.........Mr.Ngosine Anukwu
Country/.. Benin-Republic
City address is Cotonou
Test Question:.. What City?
Answer :.. Cotonou
Amount: ...$58.00 USD
MTCN NUMBER...........

Send it to me for easy collection,the MTCN control number,amount sent,name and address of sender
Thanks
MR.JOHNSON RALPH
Payment Notification

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