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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" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <2670401702@qq.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2016 11:01:02 +0100
Subject: WESTERN UNION PAYMENT

Welcome to Western Union Send Money Worldwide Available at Brookshire
locations, Western Union is a convenient way to send money fast. It's
easy, reliable and you have a choice of great options.Use the right
money transfer service for you to get money there fast, nationwide and
worldwide.



Dear Sir/Madam,


There is an issue with the WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER in the amount
of $10.500.000) 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 verify it with what we have
on file from the IMF.


FULL NAME:
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
MARITAL STATUS:
AGE:


In order to resolve this problem,get back to us immediately. As soon
as this information is received,and you have complied with the
requirements of payment of the western union charges,payment will be
made to your nominated bank account or at the counter directly from
The Western Union transfer Bank.



When emailing,please use reference number 250-147 for our mutual
convenience.THE MANAGEMENT OF WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER,OFFICE
NIGERIA BRANCH.


Sincerely,


Mr Steven Jones.
Western Union Payments

Anti-fraud resources: