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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 Agent" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wes.unionoffice7@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2016 18:21:59 -0800
Subject: Attention,


Attention,

We have deposited the check of your fund ($3.500`000`00USD) through
Western Union department after our finally meeting regarding your
fund, All you will do is to contact Western Union director Pastor Fred Martins via E-mail:( wes.unionoffice7@gmail.com). He will give you direction on
how you will be receiving the funds daily. Remember to send him your

Full information to avoid wrong transfer such as,

Receiver's Name_______________
Address: ________________
Country: _____________
Phone Number: _____________

Though, Agent: Mrs. Hanna Collins has sent $5000 in your name today so
contact Pastor Fred Martins or you call him +229-98082231 as soon as you
receive this email and tell him to give you the Mtcn, sender name and
question/answer to pick the $5000 Please let us know as soon as you
received all your fund,

Best Regards.
WESTERN UNION AGENT

Anti-fraud resources: