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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: "Mr. Lee Frank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <frankwestlee@freemail.hu>
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 06:02:41 -0800
Subject: From Mr. Lee Frank

Dear Valued Customer
 
As Instructed By Federal Ministry of finance We Have Transfer Your First Payment $5000.00 to you today. You Can View Your Payment Online Now by clicking the link below and Login your email account To enable you Cash Up Your First Payment of
$5000.00 To Any Western Union Office Closer to you.
ttps://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp
 
 
Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN):5843550040
Sender First Name: Emeka
Sender Last Name: Odili
Amount: $5000.00
 
 
Having said that, you are urgently required to wire the stated Notary/Authorization Fee via Western Union to our Account Officer as follows:
 
 
Receiver name:  ANTHONY OKAFOR
Location:: Lagos Nigeria
Amount: $85 USD
Test Question: A
Test Answer: B
 
 
Note: Your current transaction of $5,000 usd is available for pick up but you cannot cash the funds at Western Union until you cover the Notary/Authorization Fee of $85.00 only for your instant pickup (cash collection) today from any Western Union outlets nearest to you on presentation of your valid I.d Card as the last recipient. Having said that, you are urgently required to wire the stated Notary/Authorization Fee via Western Union to our Account
 
Yours In Service
Mr. Lee Frank.
Call Phone +234-808-465-8583
Director Western Union Remittance Office

Anti-fraud resources: