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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: "=?UTF-8?Q?=C2=A9Western_Union_Co?=-ordinator" <info@wu.org>
Reply-To: wu_payout18@3mail.ie
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:09:54 +0800
Subject: File For Claim

Attn:

We have concluded yesterday with the governor of Zenith Bank here in Nigeria
that you should start receiving your payment of USD 450,000.00 through
western union money transfer from next tomorrow but you will be receiving
$5,000 USD only per a day , so you are advised to contact the western union
operator Mr. Eric Charles right now contact him via email and re-confirm your
information to him right away so that he will send you your money control
number of your first payment of USD $5,000 USD for you to pick it up in any
western union near you.

Contact Person: Mr. Eric Charles
Email: wu_payout18@3mail.ie

Fill the below:

1.Full Name :
2.Address :
3.Age:
4.Occupation:
5.Telephone Number :

Regards
Mrs Sarah William

Anti-fraud resources: