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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Western Union(R)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <w.union.office20081@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 15:41:58 -0700
Subject: Western Union(R)

Dear  Beneficiary,
 
 
There is an issue with the WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER NIGERIA in the amount of $500.000.00 USD directed in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/03, at the owner of this email address. The INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND contacted us for your compensation a couple of hours ago due to your allocated security code.
 
 
They said that they choose to send it to an email address instead of a name. We are unable to complete a transfer directed at an email address, so we require some more information in order to complete this transfer.
 
 
FULL NAME:
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
MARITAL STATUS:
AGE:
 
 
 
In order to resolve this problem, please email via Western Union Solicitors Fund Verification Department: info.westernunion@worker.com
 
 
As soon as this information is received, and you have complied with the requirements of our payment of the western union charges which is $500, payment will be made to your nominated bank account or at the counter directly from The Western Union Transferring Bank. Note:
 
 
 
That this is not one of those Nigerian/African scams that all they are after is to ripe you off your money and at the end you will not receive your funds, but note that this is no scam and is directly from the Management of Western Union Money Transfer NIGERIA Head Office and our Motto is To Serve You Better.
 
 
Also note that you would be responsible for any payment that is needed for the transfer of your funds into your nominated bank account or at the counter directly from the Western Union Transferring Bank.
 
 
THE MANAGEMENT OF WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER, DISPATCHED THIS DAY
 
 
 
Please as soon as you received this mail you call Mr Morgan Wood with the telephone number.
 
 
 
Tel:+234-7063515770
 
Sincerely,
Mr.Morgan Wood .

Anti-fraud resources: