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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: "Mrs. Joy Elona" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <westernunion.moneytarnsfer01@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2023 14:02:37 -0800
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION

Attention Beneficiary,
 
We have concluded to release your outstanding debt compensation Inheritance payment of $2,700.000.00 United States Dollars, after our final meeting this morning with United Nations, IMF, We have arranged your payment of ($2,700.000.00) Two Million Seven Hundred thousand United States Dollars to be sent to you through western union money transfer payment. But the maximum amount you will be receiving each day starting from today is $10,000.00 daily until the funds are completely Transferred
to you. Kindly Contact Western union Director Head office with your full name address and telephone number.
 
Director Name Mr. Terry Young
Email Address: westernunion.moneytarnsfer01@gmail.com
 
Please, do not forget to update me as soon as you start receiving your payment. Also ask them how much it will cost you for the activation fee.
 
Best regards.
Mrs. Joy Elona

Anti-fraud resources: