419 scam: "VICKIE MOORE"<vickiem@yahoo.com> Foreign operation manager/Western Union.

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
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. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "abuja" (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: "VICKIE MOORE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <vickie_moore12@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2012 04:16:26 -0700
Subject: Foreign operation manager/Western Union.

Attention.

The Board of federal ministery of finance (FMF) Nigeria hereby notify you of your payment inherited funds of $980.000 usd Which was Approved After the meeting held yesterday. His Excellency the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (DR.GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHANA) has Instructed this Department to send your funds through western union money transfer for easy receive of your inherited funds without any further delay to avoid paying money to the fraudsters that is going on through Courier Company.

The maximum amount you will be receiving per a day starting from today is ($4,500) Also your are required by federal minister of finance (FMF) NIGERIA to send us the sum of $115.00 dollar for Renewing and Activation Of your file that was deposited in this office as you can see below.

Our account officer sent your first payment of $4.500 today,but it is on hold by federal ministry of finance (FMF) NIGERIA and according to Mr.Paul Obikezie secretary to federal minister of finance (FMF) NIGERIA ,told us that you can not pick up the $4500 now,because it is on hold,unless you pay the $115 to Renew and Activate your files of $980.000. Below is the payment information of your first payment .

Tracking it follow our website by www.westernunion.com Click tracking.

Senders Name: Laura Fry
Question: How Long
Answer: Today
MTCN: 992-483-9717
Amount:$4,500

Note immediately we confirm this $115 for Renew and Activate your files of total sum $980.000 your first payment of $4,500 will be release to you without any hitch or hindrance , So we advise you to try as much as you can send the $115 today to enable us proceeds on your payment and your $4,500 will release to you immediately.

Below is information to send the money through western union money transfer ,

Receiver Name:..Nwafe Okitikpo
Country; Abuja Nigeria
CText Question; A
Answer; B
Sender's Name........
MTCN..........................

We await to receive the western union money transfer payment information today.

Regard
Vickie Moore.
Foreign operation manager

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam