419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "money orders " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Roberto Cruz" <neandoissa@yahoo.ca>
Reply-To: officewestern_u@ymail.com
Date: Mon, 21 May 2012 20:47:46 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Welcome_to_Western_Union_Money_Transfer=AE_transaction=2C_?=
=?iso-8859-1?Q?at_Western_Union?=

Dear Western® Union Customer
Welcome to Western Union Money Transfer® transaction, at Western Union® we
understand the need for fast, safe, world wide money transfer and we guarantee
your satisfaction by offering you faster and efficient service with lots of
smiles. We are a global leader in money transfer services, offering the
ability to send money to more than 320,000 Western Union Agent locations in
over 200 countries and territories count on Western Union to transfer money
and receive, send bill payments, and purchase money orders and prepaid
services.
Thanks for writing our office, you have been awarded with the sum of One
hundred and Fifty thousand United States Dollars { USD$ 150,000.00 } by our
office, as one of our best customers who uses Western Union Money Transfer on
their daily business activities, this United Nations compensation was been
selected through the western union computer internet transfer database system,
where your e-mail address was selected :
You are our most respected customer and we are meant to serve you better in
future, you ready to pick up your USD$ 150,000.00 sent to your name and
address? We have decided to effect payment through Western Union Money
Transfer, Five Thousand United State Dollars ($5000.00 USD ) will be remitted
to you daily until the total sum of One hundred and Fifty thousand United
States Dollars (USD$ 150,000) is fully completed. Meanwhile, we have already
activated your first daily payment sum of $5000.00 USD on our western union
computer transfer database system, available for pick up by receiver which is
you.
Hence more, we are in duty to register your funds USD$ 150,000.00 online in
western union computer internet transfer database system before you can pick
up your first $5000.00 USD daily payment and your details in, to enable us
start recording your personal information to our database processor for
$5000.00 USD daily payment because of the amount involved.
DETAILS OF YOUR FIRST $5000USD
Sender's First Name: Augustine
Sender's Last Name: Okolo
MTCN: 0500939676 (Track the mtcn by dialing 1-800-325-6000 or
https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global
Text Question: Sport?
Answer: Golf
Amount Programmed: $5000.00 USD
The charges of registration of your personal information online in western
union computer internet transfer database system is $70.00 USD, you are to
commence duty to the nearest Western Union money transfer to send charges in
order for us to attend to your transaction with your daily $5000.00 USD.
Here are the information wish you are to use in send the charges:-
Recipient's name.... Innocent.N.Obeluo
Coutry...Benin Republic
Ciyt....... Cotonou
Question Text: Best Colour
Text Answer: : Yellow
Amount: $70.00 USD
Mtcn#.........
INSURANCE POLICY:-
This funds for greater protection has also been insured in accordance with
western union regulations under unlimited liability. This comprehensive cash
in transit insurance cover for your funds has been arranged {for effective and
fast customs clearance} as soon as the payment $70.00 USD covering
registration of your funds USD$ 150,000 is made by the respective customer.
Immediately the charges of $70.00 USD is paid today, you are to send a copy of
the exploration of the Western Union payment slip or kindly send an email from
Western Union payment then your payment details.
Sender's name:__________
Sender's Address: ___________
Western Union Transfer 10 digit MTCN:(____)
As soon as we receive the payment information for the charges of registration
of your funds USD$ 150,000 and your personal information online in western
union computer internet transfer database system above, you will be contacted
on email immediately in the next 45 minutes with the information that you are
to use to receive the first payment of $5000.00 USD USD today at any western
union outlet in your country.
Make sure you keep this message confidential in order to avoid double claim of
funds due to past experience from past customers, have a nice day and we
promise to serve you better.
Looking forward to received your anticipated response.
Regards,
Mr. Roberto Cruz
Western® Union Customer Service Manager
THANK YOU FOR USING WESTERN® UNION MONEY TRANSFER
FAST WAY TO RECEIVE MONEY WORLD WIDE

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam