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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: "Mr Douglas Smith" <mrs.theresawiliam@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: western.union3374@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:40:47 -0400
Subject: Attention My Dear Friend:

Attention My Dear Friend:

This is to inform you that this office was instructed to pay your fund
$1.5Million U.S.A Dollars by America security leading team and America
representative embassy between now until end of August 2011 per day you will
receive the sum of $6,000 Dollars,

However be informed that we have send the sum of $6000 Dollars this morning to
avoid cancellation of your payment you have only four hours to call this
office upon the receipt of this email the maximum amount you will be receiving
per day starting from today is $6000 in three different payments and the Money
Transfer Control Number of today is below.

MTCN: 6336706150
Sender’s first name: Carlos
Sender's last name: Lopez
Location: Cotonou,Benin Republic
Test Question: What
Answer: Who

You can track it by typing :( www.westernunion.com) and click tracking then
you enter this MTCN :
( 6336706150) and sender name:Carlos and last name: Lopez.
Once again be advice to reconfirm your information such as;

RECEIVER NAME__________
HOME ADDRESS_________
COUNTRY___________
CITY________________
TEL_________________
TEST QUESTION______
ANSWER_____________
AND YOUR ID

Furthermore you advised to call us as the instruction was passed that within
10 hours without hearing from you. Count your payment cancelled. Number to
call is below listed Manager Director Office Dr.Simeon Miracle of release
order: +229-99 59 56 74 E-mail addresses (western.union3374@yahoo.com)
MR JAMES ISAAC


Anti-fraud resources: