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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: westernunion.co.uk@modomail.com
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2006 09:12:48 -0700
Subject: Western Union - URGENT NOTICE !.


Hello Dear,There is an issue with the Western Union Money Transfer in the amount of $98,500.00 directed at the owner of this email address. The sender chose to send it to an email address instead of a name. We are unable to complete a transfer directed at an email address, so we require some more information in order to complete this transfer. You are required to provide confirmation of the following:- The name in which you wish to receive this transfer;- The Western Union office you would like the transfer delivered to.In order to resolve this problem, please email our office at: westernunion.co.uk@modomail.com or call: 44-702-408-1207 with the required information and we will release the money and provide you with the MTCN number for your onward collection. We look forward to solving your problem and having your funds released to you shortly.Regards,Mark HarrisonCustomer Service ManagerWestern UnionLevel 25 Thomas Loyd Building265 Rotherhithe Street, LondonSE16 5HW United !
Kingdom.

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