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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "WESTERN UNION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <u_wetern@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2011 14:54:53 +0100
Subject: RE: ATTENTION

Based on the instruction passed to this Western Union Money Transfer dep artment from the office of the Presidency Abuja Nigeria, your total sum of $1,000,000 (One Million United States Dollars) can only be paid Via Western Union Money Transfer Department of Abuja, Nigeria. This is to help us check-mate all the fraudulent activities going on here in Nigeria and Africa at large. You shall be paid bit by bit until your total sum is completely received,paid to right at the Counter of Western Union Money Transfer right in your Country.
 
 
After a meeting that was held in the office of the Presidency Western Union Money Transfer (Abuja Nigeria) in regards to this, we have agreed to pay you a total of $10,000 in every Seven Hours (7hours) until the funds is completely paid as agreed in today's meeting. Below is the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN): (4436709203),
 
 
And follow the voice prompt, then insert the control number above to hear the availability of your funds ready for pick up, or visit our official web site
www.westernunion.com, Find TRACKING on the top right of the site page, and kindly insert accordingly this detail (Boakye Yaw) and (4436709203) following the instructions bellow.
 
Money Transfer Control Number: (4436709203)
Sender First Name: Boakye
Sender Last Name:  Yaw
Check Status AND CLICK ON CHECK STATUS
 
I am Uju Oba, after the failure of the Agent assigned to deliver your Winning Cheque, for reason aligned with the British high commission and other bodies, I was ordered from the office of the President to make your payment swiftly via this medium, you will be receiving $10,000 every seven hours, from the above control number till your payment is completed.
 
I request that you send to me your full receiving names for your payment and an activation fee of $300 only for the names to be activated to the officer in charge at the counter here in Abuja Nigeria as you make the payment we shall activate the names you have given us to enable you receive your first installment payment of $10,000 accordingly, this control number (4436709203) should be kept confidential for your own security, to avoid any further complications which you have experienced in the past, make the payment today and start receiving your money.
 
Here is the information needed for the Transfer:
 
Your Full Name:
Your Full Address:
Your Direct Tel:
Copy Of Your International Passport or Drivers License.
 
Payment Modalities for the Activation of your Names in Order to Accept the total Fund without Errors:
Name of Receiver: Efosa Jeffrey
Address Of Receiver: Abuja,  Nigeria.
Amount to be Sent: $300 US Dollars.
Text Question: World Going
Answer: White
 
Send us the following details after Payment:
 
Senders Name
Receivers name:
M.T.C.N Number:
Scan copy of slip:
 
Congratulations in advance.
 
 
Mr. Uju Oba
+2347036337161
(western_unionmonertransfer1@wss-id.org)
Western Union Director
Abuja, Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources: