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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 <chinedu_augustine33@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: westernunion1339@yahoo.fr
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:21:02 +0100 (BST)
Subject: YOUR URGENT REPLY NEEDED


Attn: Honorable Beneficiary.,

What is going on?, who is Jonathan T. Jefferson?  I was trying to get you on phone regarding your US$1.5M but it seems as you don't want to pick my call. However, this Jonathan visited my office this Wednesday with a Beninios lawyer and application of claim over your $1.5Million USD, with this financial institution. Please, do confirm to me, as a matter of urgency if this man is really from you so that this office will not be held responsible for paying wrong person.

Based on board of directors meeting today, they have concluded to approve the payment on his favor since you failed to fulfill the neccessary obligation given to you by the western union to process your payment. Therefore, if you are really serious and willing to receive the first $5,000 through western union, kindly get back to me and I will work with you to complete the western union payment processing fees so that you will start receiving $5,000 everyday.

Since Western Union Payment processing fee is $145, in my concerted efforts to actualize your fund payment with the convenient time schedule I will raise $100, so I am expecting $45 from you today. Please note that the reason why I decided to help you pay part of the money is because I don't want your Funds to be forfeited by this government or be transfered to the wrong person, And I know that when you receive your total sum of US$1.5M, definitely you must compensate me.

As an insider in this Financial Institution, I must assure you that once you have provided to the Bank with their demands, they would now be under legal obligation to transfer the funds to you within 6hours we confirm this $45. YES, you must surely receive the first $5,000 within 6hours after you send this $45. However, as a matter of urgency, you are advised to hurry up and send the $45 dollars TODAY so that i will have it completed with the $100 i have at hand right now to enable us process your payment file so that we will start sending your daily payment of $5,000 to you  ok!.
 
Kindly make the payment to:

Receiver:Chibuzor Nweke
Test Question: Who Is Great
Answer: God
Amount:45
COUNTRY – BENIN REPUBLIC.
CITY–  COTONOU
MTCN....

I will like you to co-operate with me to retrieve this legacy payment left behind than allowing the government of this country to forfeit it. I believed it is a life time opportunity which every reasonable human-being will never allow to slip by. We do business each day with an absolute commitment to ethics, honesty and credibility.Am waiting for your urgent response. Be warned!, Earlier the better...

Yours Faithfully,
DR DOMINIC OKOYE
CALL +22998892244
EMAIL western_ub@yahoo.com.hk
WESTERN UNION HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT
REPUBLIC OF BENIN.
FOREIGN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE

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