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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: "Bank Alert" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <officialmail2011@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:41:38 +0100
Subject: Alert

Western Union Money Transfer
Head office: Accra Ghana Ltd

Hello,

Please confirm if you are still using this email address.

There is important information I think might interest you. First of all, you are to confirm if you are still using this email address, for security reasons I will like you to confirm if you are the owner of this email ID. Already I have your name and some details in my file in the office, but I want to be sure if I am communicating with the right owner of this email.

If you can prove that you are the owner of this email ID, I will like you to furnish me with your remaining information to enable me cross-check it with the one I have so that I can be convince that I am talking to the right person. I am taking this preventive measure because I do not want to talk to the wrong person due to the sensitivity of the information involved.Other details will be forwarded to you as soon as I am convinced that I am communicating with the right person.

Mr. Paul Williams
Western Union Money Transfer
Accra Ghana Ltd

Anti-fraud resources: