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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: "Western Union®" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <westmuunion@post.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:05:04 -0700
Subject: Re: WesternUnion®payment alert!

 
Attn: Valued Customer,
 
Due to your inability to complete western union Transfer handling requirement, an executive emergency meeting was held last week in a way to resolve this problem and to ensure you start receiving your payment. At the end of the meeting, the head of international remittance was mandated to set up Western union account in your name and paid in your overall sum USD$750,000.00 and as well release the MTCN for your first installment of USD$5000.00 without a hitch.
 
Furthermore, an agreement was signed between the ministry and the Western Union that you should show commitment on your part as indication that you are willing/ready to receive your payment by paying USD$45.00 MTCN activation charge for all your payments; this will enable them to activate your MTCN for your first installment. Therefore, you are advised to contact the Western Union cashier unit in reference to this order on Email: westmuunion@post.com contact person is Mr. James Manu for more instruction on how to send the activation charge and as well information to pickup your first installment of $5000.00 and sequence payout in your name.
 
THANKS & CONGRA TULATIONS!
 
Mrs. Rita Perdro.
Western Union Office
Send Money Worldwide
WesternUnion®payment
 

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