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:

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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "service 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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "info-westernuniongoldcard01@yandex.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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: Western Union Pay-out Gold card <info-westernuniongoldcard01@yandex.com>
Date: Fri, 3 May 2013 10:12:30 +0200
Subject: Do we pay Mrs/Mr. Edgar Edward or Do we pay you? Fee $55 only/
Western union Gold card.

Dear Sir ,
Your gold card $100,000 USD. Please note that we provide a 100% guarantee
receipt of your transfer because we have perfectly carried out the process
and you must receive your western union gold card today. Please note that
Mrs. Mr. Edgar Edwardcame to our office this morning and bring a pictures
to my office this morning and said to this office that you are dead that
the picture is your burial ceremony picture that they are here with the $55
that you told them about this fund before you die, Please let us know if
this is turth. We are only happy if you are happy in same case we know how
much it means to you and understand the problem you have encounter in the
whole process.

There is no additional cost, the only fee we are charging you is $55 prior
to delivery, we will be able to deliver your transfer as soon as the
service fee is paid and it will arrive faster .Once again we are so sure of
you receiving your transfer to your designated without any further delay,
extra fee or any. Send the fee by western union or money gram with the
below information:

RECEIVER NAME... Ogechukwu Omokwe
COUNTRY... BENIN.
CITY... COTONOU .Add : NO 11 Missebo mtk Cotonou -Benin.
TEXT QUESTION... what colure TEXT ANSWER... Yellow,
Amount $55
And let us know my conformation the MTCN ?

Thank you as I wait your respond.
Ganesh Amoorthy.
Contact us at info-westernuniongoldcard01@yandex.com
Western Union BENIN - COTONOU.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam