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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: "Mr.NICHOLAS JOHN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wunion62@kimo.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2012 04:16:58 -0000
Subject: WESTERN UNION

WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER MALAYSIAN PAY-OUT CENTER
We wish to inform you that the United Nations (U.N) has taken over the Inheritance/Prize Winnings payout issue which you currently or previously Your Inheritance/Winning payout was paid out by the United Nations Organization, and they have succeeded in depositing your funds with us They have ordered Western Union to take full responsibility in the transfer process of your funds, and we have received your application for the first installment payment of $7,600 U.S.D from the total amount of $1,500,000.00 U.S.D, One Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars. For some security reasons, we need you to Reconfirm your Name, Address, Age and Phone Number before receiving the
M.T.C.N for the first installment payment,and we will email you others after 24 hours of Receiving each payment.Email Dr.Lee Young at wunion62@kimo.com or call our 24 hours Helpline @Tel:+6016-4300-190 for any inquiries on the above message.
Yours truly,
Western Union Payment Service Malaysia
Mr.NICHOLAS JOHN
Western Union/Coordinato

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