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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• 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. )
  • "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. )
  • "money transfer control number" (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. )
  • "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
• 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.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +22996557213 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • office.westernunion.westernuni@googlemail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Campher"<officeternuni@googlemail.com>
Reply-To: <office.westernunion.westernuni@googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Jul 2009 15:15:42 -0700
Subject: WESTERN UNION IS NOW PAYING YOUR FUND (YOUR URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED)


Attention: The Beneficiary

SPECIAL BONUS TREAT AS URGENT

How are you doing today? 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 were given a charge in order to receive your payment of which we didn't hear from you for long time now the reason best known to you.

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 off pick prices. In order words we are now requesting that those involved should pay only the sum of $120 dollar only to re-program their information into our new payment data base and to receive all their payment abandoned in our custody.

My dear, this is opportunity for you to receive your fund without any hitches so you have to comply with this development to enable us pay your fund to you without further delay. But remember that after (7 Banking Days) you did not make the payment then we will divert your funds to Government treasures.

Again after (SEVEN DAYS) we will face a new project for the next half year and that was the reason why we decided to help all our customers before we enter into the new project. So be advised to send the $120.00 immediately so that we will register your payment to enable you start receiving your funds $7,000 daily, immediately we re-program your information into our new payment data base.

Be advised that there is no time again for us to call or waiting for any body so kindly call + 229-9655 7213 immediately you send the fee or E-mail us with the payment information such as senders name and MTCN to enable us send your New Money Transfer Control Numbers (MTCN ).After you send the payment of $120.00 to enable you start receiving your $7,000 everyday through Western Union in you area until you liquidated the accumulated volume. Kindly go now and Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with this information below.

Receiver's Name== CHIBUZO PATRICK NDIGWE.
Country== Benin Republic.
Text Question== SEVEN
Text Answer== DAYS
Amount=$120.00
Senders name:
MTCN.........

The moment I receive the payment of $120 I will release the first payment information of $7,000 to you and you will pick up the money and I will send you another. Expecting your Fast cooperation and prompt response with your current contact details, quoting your file number 24368-SNB/CCMU/2109/008 to prove that you are the true person through this Email (office.westernunion.westernuni@googlemail.com ) for more details.

Note that we have succeeded in transferring about $290 Million dollars to some Inheritance Fund to customers since November 2008 to August 30th 2009 from 45 clients that have submitted their information and details to us.

PLEASE STOP ANY CONTACT WITH ANY OFFICES YOU BE CONTACTING BEFORE YOU MUST RECEIVE YOUR FUND AS WE DIRECTED YOU AS WELL, WAITING THE INFORMATION OF $120, AS WE TOLD YOU NOW.

Best Regards
Mr.Samuel Campher
Foreign Payment Director
Western Union Department
D/Line: +229-9655 7213

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam