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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: "Mrs. Yvonne Owondon" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info_w_u1@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:20:41 -0800
Subject: DEAR VALUED CUSTOMER

Website: www.westernunion.com
Address: Plot 1261, Adeola Hopewell Street CO/B/REP,
Republic Of Benin.Tele: +229 984089
Email: (info_w_u1@yahoo.co.jp)

DEAR VALUED CUSTOMER

Sequel to the meeting held today with United States Government, through Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Government have warn you to stop further communication/dealing with any banks that have no website due to fraud going on worldwide. Any banks that is contacting you without website is scam. Please view our website now: www.westernunion.com

The United States Government instructed us to be paying you via western union to you under installment of Five Thousand Dollars daily till the amount is completely paid to you, we have transferred your first installment payment today for your pick-up at any western union worldwide, but still on-hold due to none Federal Bureau of Investigation Clean Bill of Transfer Document in your payment file, which will cost you ($65.00) You are require to pay before your daily transfer will be made available to you today.

Track your first payment online now using senders first name and last name as directed below: https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global

MTCN : 9788593788
SENDERS FIRST NAME: EIJA
SENDERS LAST NAME: MANTYMAKI
AMOUNT................$5,000 USD

Track your first installment of Five Thousand Dollars daily online now, You are requiring paying for Federal Bureau of Investigation Clean Bill of Transfer Document fee to Mr. Anthony Nwankwo. and send copy of your ID which you will use to pick up your daily $5,000.00 in your country.

Receiver's Name: Mr.Marcel Owurah
Address: COTONOU, BENIN REPUBLIC
Text Question: WHEN?
Text Answer: SOON
Amount: $65.00 Dollars Only.

Our customer care service will call you as soon as possible to enable you pick up your daily $5,000.00 in your country. As soon as we receive the MTCN of Federal Bureau of Investigation Clean Bill of Transfer Document of ($65.00) for security and safety purpose, I have sent your daily $5,000.00 today and you can pick up the money at any Western Union worldwide.

Sincerely Regards,
Mr.Marcel Owurah
Western Union Payment Officer
Direct Tel:( +229 984089)
www.westernunion.com
=================================================================================
For further information, please call +229 984089 Copyright * 2003 Western Union Holdings, Inc. Restrictions and Special Notes Money transfers sent to BENIN must include a Test Question. Payee must present correct Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) and a valid ID to collect. US Dollars payouts are subject to availability. FEXCO/Western Union Ireland is regulated by the Financial Regulator © Western Union - Money Transfer Built by Splash

Anti-fraud resources: