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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 [ ASIA ]" <westernuion@malaysia.my>
Reply-To: <hmcustomer.paymentcenter@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2017 04:28:25 -0700
Subject: " C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S "

Message From - WESTERN UNION [ ASIA REGIONAL OPERATIONS CENTER ] [HEAD OFFICE] - KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA " DEAR VALUED WESTERN UNION CUSTOMER " - WESTERN UNION GRANT 2017 WE ARE AWARDING THE SUM OF $500,000.00 USD EACH TO THREE ( 3 ) OF OUR LUCKY WESTERN UNION CUSTOMERS FOR USING THE WESTERN UNION SERVICES IN SENDING MONEY TO FRIENDS, RELATIVES/FAMILY OR FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES. DURING THE 2017 WESTERN UNION ASIA LUCKY DRAW - YOU WERE RANDOMLY SELECTED ALONG TWO ( 2 ) OTHERS - AMONG MILLIONS OF WESTERN UNION USERS WORLDWIDE TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD/GRANT OF $500,000.00 USD - YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS INCLUDING YOUR EMAIL WAS GOTTEN FROM OUR DATABASE DURING THE PERIOD YOU USED THE WESTERN UNION SERVICES IN SENDING OR RECEIVING MONEY. YOU WILL BE ISSUED A WESTERN UNION NETSPEND MASTERCARD WORTH $500,000.00 USD NOTE: The Delivery Of Your WESTERN UNION NETSPEND MASTERCARD To Your HOME is FREE ! Your Reference No: WU/WUA2017/BBKMY For More Information on the Delivery Of your WESTERN UNION NETSPEND MASTERCARD, Please Contact - [ PAYOUT OFFICE: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA ] - Asia Operation Manager / Claims Agent - Western Union Agent: MELISSA BINTI MUBARAK Contact E-mail: westernunion.melissamubarak@gmail.com Office Line: +60165781566 CONGRATULATION ONCE AGAIN FROM WESTERN UNION © [ ASIA ].

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