419 Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam (2006-01)

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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:

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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "service fee" (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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "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.
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.
- +22999389977 (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.
- info.westernuniongoldcard01@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union Pay-out Gold card <info.westernuniongoldcard01@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2012 10:19:31 +0100
Subject: Guarantee 100% Delivery of your gold card by 1pm this morning & Final
Fee of $55

Attention Please,

We Announced its decision to make an optional repayment of $100,000.00 to
each debtor , an account has been opened in your name and the total money
keyed in your Western Union Gold Card Rewards Please note that we provide
a 100% guarantee receipt of your transfer because we have perfectly carried
out the process. We are only happy if you are happy in same case we know
how much it means to you and understand the problem you have encounter in
the whole process. Please Visit the https://wugoldcard.
mycardplace.com/cholder/

Your Card Number is: 4146650304178790 use it in the 1st time Signing in and
clicks proceed to verify the transfer .In addition to the initial
activation you will receive your PIN and your Western Union Gold Card
when the following fees are paid .

There is no additional cost, the only fee we are charging you is $55 prior
to delivery, we will be able to deliver your transfer as soon as the
service fee is paid and it will arrive faster .Once again we are so sure of
you receiving your transfer to your designated without any further delay,
extra fee or any. Send the fee by western union or money gram with the
below information:

RECEIVER NAME... Ogechukwu Omokwe
COUNTRY... BENIN.
CITY... COTONOU .Add:NO 11 Missebo mtk Cotonou -Benin.
TEXT QUESTION... what colureTEXT ANSWER... Yellow
Amount &$55.
And let us know my conformation the MTCN &

Thank you as I wait your respond. Please do call us now, so that we can
give you more details. Tele: +229 99389977 .
Ganesh Amoorthy.
Contact us at info.westernuniongoldcard01@gmail.com
Western Union BENIN - COTONOU .

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam