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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. Patrick Wilfred" <m_aljubairi@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: westernunion91250@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:37:23 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: TTENTION; Dear Beneficial, God Will Help You



How are you doing today with your family i am very happy to inform you that your full compensation payment of $950.000.00USD has been deposited at the Western Union We have notify the regional manager to send you the MTCN only for you to verify but we will not give you the test questions and answer until you provide the requested payment of $46 for signing and stamping of your document files so that we can swing into action to complete your transfer.
 
Our regional manager has assign a new details for you. You are to visit
our website for tracking your MTCN.
http://www.westernunion1250@yahoo.com/info/homePage.asp?country=BJ&origination=US
Money Transfer Control Number (M.T.C.N):9611517744
Senders First Name: Patrick
Senders Last Name: Wilfred              
Question:
Answer:

amount: $4500.00
BELOW IS THE WESTERN UNION PAYMENT INFORMATION Sharon Dauphinais
BELOW IS THE WESTERN UNION PAYMENT INFORMATION
 
Receiver Name......Mr. Mike Promise
Country............... Benin Du Republic
City............. Cotonou
Question...............god
Answer......................will help
AMOUNT............$46 USD
SENDER'S NAME.................
 
Status : Available for pick up by receiver. ( To Pick up By You ) Please let us know when you will remit the payment of $46 so that we can send u the details for remitting the payment to us. Am waiting your urgent response.

And Finally you are advise to stop emailing any office or department here in Benin Republic until you receive your full compensation from us,this is for your security.
Regards
Mr. Patrick Wilfred

 

Anti-fraud resources: