419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "info-westernuniongoldcard01@yandex.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union Pay-out Gold card <info-westernuniongoldcard01@yandex.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2013 12:32:45 +0100
Subject: The high court of justice has judge them and take them to all to jail
today again been, 2nd April, 2013./Gold card.

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Attention Please.

How are you doing today and your health together your work and family ?
Hope Fine ? I am writing to let you know this good news about the bad
claiming person here as stated early, I want you to know that the high
court of justice has judge him and take them to all to jail today been 2nd
April, 2013, 2013. and he will be there till 4year for his bad act trying
to claim your Gold card fund while you are still alive and did not sent him
to do that.

Finally, All is well, I am by your side to protect your Gold card package
here and make sure you will receive it peaceful after you have keep your
promise of sending the final needed fee sum 2nd April, 2013. as you
promise in your last email to me.

Sir/Madam, I want you and advise you to try as much as you can to get this
fee on that time keep me posted to relay you the new receiver name payment
details which you will use in sending it to avoid anything delay or wasting
to pick it up here, as I will need your package to leave here the same day
and time you send the final fee. Yes, be aware that the only delays we are
having here now is this final needed fee and I will be expecting from you
soonest as I will everything to end and complete for you to receive and be
happy to withdrawal your fund, then reward me back for all my help so far
to you and take good care of your family with happiness, but note that the
delivery fee of your western union gold card is $55 only.

Awaiting to hear back from you soon with update of the fee and I pray God
will bless you and family and also make away on that time you have promise
to get it send.Once again we are so sure of you receiving your transfer to
your designated without any further delay, extra fee or any. Send the fee
by western union or money gram with the below information:

RECEIVER NAME... Ogechukwu Omokwe
COUNTRY... BENIN.
CITY... COTONOU .Add : NO 11 Missebo mtk Cotonou -Benin.
TEXT QUESTION... what colure TEXT ANSWER... Yellow,
Amount $55
And let us know my conformation the MTCN ?

Thank you as I wait your respond.
Ganesh Amoorthy.
Contact us at info-westernuniongoldcard01@yandex.com
Western Union BENIN - COTONOU.

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam