419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- ",500,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "Western Union Money Malaysia" <westernunion@mail.com>
Reply-To: wumtransferoutlet@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:51:23 +0900 (JST)
Subject: You Have A Daily Intallmental Payment Of $7,
600 USD From Western Union.

WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
MALAYSIAN PAY-OUT CENTER

United Nations has deposited the sum of $10,500,000.00 USD to western
union, which is to be shared among you and other 7 email users.
You are entitled to $1,500,000.00 USD in the on-going united nations
poverty alleviation program. Do send your Name,Address & Phone Number:to
the western union payment center via email ( wumtpayout@geeks.ms ) to
apply for your payment.

Or call Mrs Franca Lee @ +6010 3770 946 for more inquiries on the above
message.
SPECIAL NOTICE: All E-mail response should be sent to the following email
address for confirmation and payment approval wumtpayout@geeks.ms

Yours truly
Jim Fred
Announcer
Thanks For Western union payment Service.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam