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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Henry Ricks" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wwwesterunio@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:07:38 +0100
Subject: Attention to you personally:

Attention to you personally:

Are you ready to pick up this $5,000.00 sent today? We have concluded to effect your payment through Western Union $5,000.00 daily until the $1.2 Million is completely transferred. So you are advice to contact the Western Union office Benin with below information;

Western Union Agent: MR FRANK BEN
Direct phone line is +229 99481913
E-mail: wwwesterunio@yahoo.com.hk

Though, MR FRANK BEN. sent you $5,000.00 in your name today in my present, so contact him and tell him to give you the MTCN, Sender name with the question and answer to pick up the $5,000.00 and then start transferring your total money to you as I directed them. Finally, to avoid anything happening to the money, I deposited it with an insurance coverage.

Contact them now with your information as stated below.

Your Full name...........
Your Full address.......
Your Phone number......
Your Conutry...........
Your Occupation........
Your Age............

YOUR URGENT RESPOND IS HIGHLY NEEDED.

Thanks,
Henry Ricks.

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