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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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)
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.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22968447338 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From:
=?UTF-8?Q?Western_Union_Money_Transfer_=C2=AE_Welcome_Western_Union?= <interl.departm2@msn.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2014 12:36:00 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Money Transfer Control Number: 6578670714///

Â
Â Attention; Esteemed Customer,,

Greetings from Western Union Money Transfer Agent Location, PO Box 6992 Greenwood Village, CO 80155-6992, Cotonou, Benin. We are in receipt of your fund ($1.5.000.00 USD) (ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDREDÂ THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) deposited here by The International monetary fund (IMF) to be transferred to you. For security reasons and to safe guard of your fund,

It might interest you to know that we have taken out time in screening through this project as stipulated on our protocol of operation and have finally confirmed that your contract payment is 100% genuine and hitch free from all facet and of which you have the lawful right to claim your fund without any further delay.

Having said all this, it's my great pleasure to inform you that the first sum of $6,500.00 has being sent in your address today,

Below are the details of the transaction;our website for tracking your MTCN. https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderstatus.asp?country=global
Â
Money Transfer Control Number: 6578670714
Sender's first name:..........Malcolm
Sender's last name:........... Atkins
Sender's Address: PO Box 6992 Greenwood Village, CO 80155-6992, Cotonou
Country: Benin Republic
Amount Transferred: US$6,500
Text Question: BLUE?
Answer: RED

So you have to send the service fee of $50.00 and Value Added Tax (VAT) of $9 to the payment information stated below to enable us authorize your fund to pick up.

INFORMATION TO SEND THE FEE BY MONEY GRAM
Â
Receiver's Name: UKEJE EMMANUEL MBA.
Office Address:PO Box 6992 Greenwood Village, CO 80155-6992
City: Cotonou
Country: Republic Due Benin
Text question:Â Blue?
Answer:Â Red
Amount:Â $59.only
Â
*The service fee should be sent to us within five (2) working days, failure to meet up with this will lead to automatic transaction cancellation*
Â
Send the following details via e-mail to this office for prompt clearance:
Sender's name:.......................
Sender's Address:.......................
Money Transfer Control Number (M.T.C.N):................................
Â
If you have questions or need assistance, our team is here to help. You can call us on +229-68447338-or better still, send us an email ( w.unionmtransferbj@outlook.com OrÂ interl.departm2@msn.com ) Â
Â
Best Regards,
Mr. David White
Tel: +229-68447338
=========================================================
Western Union Money Transfer Agent Location, EMS Post Office.
Registered No: 1026167. Head Office: PO Box 6992 Greenwood Village, CO 80155-6992, Cotonou Benin Republic. Phone +229-68447338

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam