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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: =?utf-8?Q?Western_Union=C2=AE_Money_Transfer?= <rh@handphone.com.br>
Reply-To: =?utf-8?Q?Western_Union=C2=AE_Money_Transfer?= <western_unionoffic102@w.cn>
Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2011 20:10:39 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: PAYMENT WAS SENT


I write to inform you that we have transferred USD$150,000 dollars.
I decided to email you the MTCN and sender name so that you can pick start cashing your money in USD5000.00 daily instalment with the same MTCN and sender's name which will be valid for 30 days until you cash the full $150,000.00usd as it automatically activates for use for 30 days after the first reactivation.
The money is available for pick up which was deposited for transfer to you by one MR Bernard Harry from BLACKBERRY MOBILE LOTTERY.
The money is available for pick up by receiver(you) but when you track it, it will display PICKED UP due to the fact that it has been deactivated from our head office for security reason because it has stayed too long in the air as we do not have your correct phone number which we would have use ito reach you, so it was blocked. therefore you can not cash it out in any western union office due to its restriction from our head office,which was a security measure because the money has been in the air for three days now and maybe in danger, hence the mtcn has to be reactivated to enable you cash out the money in any western union office in your area, the reactivation of the MTCN will cost you a token of $105,once this is paid, our head office will release the fund on hold to enable you cash it.To be sure of this please log on to www.westernunion.com and click on track to and enter the sender's info and mtcn below.
- Hide quoted text -

Sender's Fist name: Perry
Sender's Last Name: Poston
MTCN: 0341153617
Question: Who Is Great
Answer: God
Amount: $5000.00USD
Total Amount To be cashed:$150,000usd

With due respect please get back to me urgently after tracking the money online so i can instruct you on how to send the $105 to us for the reactivation of the MTCN.

Thanks
Best Regards
Pastor Godspower Umukoro.
western union Office,
NIGERIA OFFICE.
Western Union® Money Transfer
Email: western_unionoffic102@w.cn
Tel: +2347054942656

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