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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 Pay-out Gold card
<info.westernuniongoldcard01@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 26 May 2011 16:13:41 +0400
Subject: ATM GOLD CARD

Dear Sir,

This is to acknowledge the receipt of your email thank you and the money
that you sent, We understand that you have feel cheated so many times
to receive your over due wining/inheritance fund ,and today Western Union
have decided to repayment you with $100,000.00 for your lost money .it
is our pleasure to notify you that we have already concluded every
necessary documentation and your payment is keyed and you will received
the ATM GOLD CARD to enable you Activate and setup your personal PIN to
be able to receive money as soon as you send the required fee .

We shall send your WESTERN UNION ATM GOLD CARD as soon as you send the
required totalling (USD $42 ) which is the only fees needed from you to
complete your transfer to empower the immediate release of your WESTERN
UNION ATM GOLD CARD and all the necessary information .Payment should be
made via Western Union Money transfer or Money Gram to the Name below
according to the policy and the payment arrangements .

1. RECEIVER NAME... OGECHUKWU OMOKWE
2. COUNTRY... BENIN.
3. CITY... COTONOU .Add : NO 11 Missebo mtk cotonou -Benin.
5. TEXT QUESTION... what colure TEXT ANSWER... white
7 .Amount …$42

Forward the MTCN NUMBER xxx xxx xxx x. senders name and your postal
address.

We assure you that your WESTERN UNION ATM GOLD CARD AND ALL THE NEEDED
INFORMATION will reach you immediately we receive the complete requirement
needed from you.

THIS IS A NEW ARRANGEMENT AND THE TOTAL MONEY IS BEEN KEYED IN IT

Yours in Service,

Mr. Ganesh Amoorthy.
Contact us at: info.westernuniongoldcard01@gmail.com
Western Union BENIN - COTONOU .

Anti-fraud resources: