419 scam: Dear Western Union <mail13@Burke611.onmicrosoft.com> Dear Western Union Customer.

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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. )
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: Dear Western Union <mail13@Burke611.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <w.w.u@live.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 19:16:22 +0530
Subject: Dear Western Union Customer.

Dear Western Union Customer,

You have been awarded with the sum of $50,000 USD by our office, as one of our customers who use Western Union Money Transfer in their daily business transaction.

This award has been selected through the internet, where your e-mail address was indicated and notified.

Please contact Mr. Homeland on email:(w.w.u@live.com) with the following details listed below so that your fund will be remitted to you through Western Union Money Transfer:

1. Name::::::::::
2. Old Address:::
3. Country:::::::
4. Phone Number::
5. Occupation::::
6. Sex:::::::::::
7. Age:::::::::::
8. A scanned copy passport photo.

As soon as these details are received and verified, your fund will be transferred to you.

Thank you, for using Western Union Money Transfer. Mr. Pandev's E-mail: w.w.u@live.com

Thanks, Mrs. Sandra Fish.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam