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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 AWARD" <kuri@he.mirai.ne.jp>
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2015 01:19:58 +0900 (JST)
Subject: DETAILS

Dear Friend,

This is to officially inform you that the sum of $1.5,000.00USD has been
deposited here in our WESTERN UNION OFFICE by the United Nations
Organization,the first $5,000.00 was sent today. The office has helped me
to send the first $5,000.00 to you through our western union service. So
contact our Western Union claims Agent to pick up this $5,000 now:
Contact person: Mr.Don C. John, TEL:+2348093413611.
E-mail (donc.john52@yahoo.ca) Ask him to give you the MTCN, Sender
Name to pick the $5,000.00. He will keep sending you $5,000.00 daily until
the payment of $1.5,000.00USD is completed. Again forward him your info.

so that he will be sure

Full Name:______
Telephone number:______
address_________


Thanks.

Anti-fraud resources: