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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 Malaysia" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wumtransferoutlet@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:42:16 -0700
Subject: Final Notice:You Have An installment Payment Of $7, 600.00 USD With Western Union.

Attention,

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@aol.com ) to
apply for your payment.

Or call Mrs Franca Lee @ +6010 3770 946 for more inquiries on the above
message.

Yours truly
Jim Fred
Announcer

Anti-fraud resources: