419 scam: "wariz_jay@yahoo.co.uk"<nijaguy4life@yahoo.com> western union details

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance fee" (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. )
- "a security company " (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. )
- "tax clearance" (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. )
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "to your nominated bank account" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!

Fraud email example:

From: "wariz_jay@yahoo.co.uk" (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2012 08:24:19 -0400
Subject: western union details

we are pleased to inform you of the release of the results of the EUROMILLONES SPANISH LOTTERY/INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM held on the 12th of Febuary,2005,organised by our Lottery department to promote and encourage international participation in our begin of year high stake lottery.

Your name attached to ticket number 4533-254 with serial number 46637253 drew the lucky numbers 32-36-45-58-24 -46-29 which consequently won in the 3rd category.

You have therefore been approved for a lump payout of €215,810.00c(TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND TEN EUROS)in cash credited to file REF NO:ESC/11504479/32.

CONGRATULATIONS!.

Your fund is now deposited with a security company insured in your name alone, due to mixed up of some numbers and names,we ask you to keep your prize tracking number very confidential until your claim has been processed and your won fund remitted to your nominated bank account,as this is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming.

All participants were selected through a computer ballots system drawn from 30,000 names from Europe,North America,Asia,Australia Caribean, Africa And New Zealand as part of our international program which we conduct once every year.We hope that with a part of your prize, you will take part in our up coming end of year high stake €1.8 billion International lottery.

To begin your claim, please contact your claim agent,DON, ALBERTO GOMEZ Foreign Operation Manager, OVERSEA CREDIT COMPANY, S.A. on TEL:( 0034.627-062-388 ). and FAX 0034-627.062.388, for processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated bank account of your choice.

Note: A payment of tax clearance fee is required from every beneficary who is not an european citizen. Remember, all prize money must be claimed not later than 18th March, 2005. After this date all funds will be returned to the MINISTERIO DE ECONOMIA Y HACIENDA as unclaimed. Also,for your information ,10% of your prize money belongs to your claim agent as a part of their commission.This commission will be paid to OVERSEA CREDIT COMPANY ,S.A only after you have received your fund in your designated account.

NOTE:In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications, please remember to quote your reference and prize tracking numbers in every of your correspondence with your agent.

Sincerely,
JOSE PEREZ.
VICE PRESIDENT

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam