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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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.

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. )
  • "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• 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: westernunion moneytransfer <moneytransfer237@msn.com>
Reply-To: <w-esternunion-moneytransfer002@live.fr>
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 10:04:47 +0000
Subject: GOOD NEWS FROM WESTERN UNION OFFICE.




Welcome to Western UnionPhone;+
229-98215261
Send
Money Worldwide
Send
Money

ATTENTION.

This is to notify
you about the latest development concerning all the payment
that are left in our custody, which yours are inclusive,Besides your where given a bill of $55.00 in
order to receive your payment of which we didn’t hear from you for sometime
now....

Hence, our Western Union is now offering a Special BONUS
to help all our customers that are having their payment in our custody due to of prices. In order words
we are now requesting that those involve should pay only the sum of
$55. 00 to receive all their payment abandoned
in our custody.

Besides, my dear, this is the
opportunity for you and have to comply and your funds shall be transfer
to your designated address.

But remember that
after (3 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will divert your funds to
Government Fund, to avoid problem or we will cancel the payment for this year
until next year because this year is not like last
year.

Again after (THREE DAYS ) We will enter A new project for the year and
that is the reason why we decided to help to all our
customers before we enter into the new project.

So be advise to send
the $55.00 immediately so that we will
register your payment and for to start receive $5,000
as from tomorrow.
Be advise that there is no time again for we to call any
person on phone unless you will call +
229-98215261
E-mail (w-esternunion-moneytransfer002@live.fr)

After the payment of
$55.00 you will start receiving your money
every day$5,000 through Western Union

Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer
with the information below,

Receiver's name==
INNOCENT OSITA.
Country== Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Text Question==
Trust
Answer== Honest
AmountOnly=
$55.00

The moment i receive the payment of $55 i
will release the first payment information of $5,000 to you and you will pick up
the money and i will send you
another money. Hoping to hear from you.

REGARDS
MR LOUIS
Roman.
FORIGN OPERATION MANAGER
WESTERN
UNION OFFICE BENIN

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam