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:

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. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER <info.westernunionmtransferbj@yahoo.fr>
Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2012 12:59:49 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: =?utf-8?B?RWNvbm9taWNzIGFuZCBGaW5hbmNpYWwgQ3JpbWVzIENvbW1pc3Npb24gKEVG?=
=?utf-8?B?Q0MpIHZpYSBXZXN0ZXJuIFVuaW9uOiBJbXBvcnRhbnQgTm90aWNl4oCP?=

Western Union
Money Transfer

EMS Post Office Agent

Location

Cotonou Benin Republic

Dear Receiver,

I
hope this email content is treated with the urgency required as it is
an important message from the depositor of your fund (Economics and
Financial Crimes Commission). As part of the processes involved in the
transfer of your compensation fund cum a fight against scam and theft,
we would like you to share with us the following:

How you was scammed?

Means of transfer of payment to the scam artist?

As written above will help the anti-graft agencies with the
investigation, hence, a great fight against action of graft on the
internet and an eventual punishment of offenders/fraudsters.

Note:

As explained above is not a condition for an eventual transfer of your fund but an action that will help fight crime.

Please
note that i have madeup my self to help you with half of the payment,
only if you can comply with this office and send us the require fee of
$50 right now, so that you can pickup your payment today. so please
kindly update us

You are advice to send the $50usd and then respond with all details with the below details:,

Receiver name: Emmanuel Uba
No. 23 Sani Abba Rd.
Country: Benin Republic
City: Cotonou
Text Question: When?
Answer: Now.
MTCN:__________

I
am waiting to have the MTCN and Sender Name so that I will forward the
Secret Text Question and Answer for you to be able to pick up your
programmed fund, to you immediately we confirm the $50usd here. You have
to send the fee urgent so that I will be able to release the Text
Question & Answer so that you pick up the programmed money. Reply
with the payment information.

Lastly, your Payment information will be sent to you shortly

We await your response.

Best
Regards,

Western
Union.

Â

Western Union Money
Transfer Agent Location,Â EMS Post Office. Registered No: 1026167. Head
Office: 125 Marina Street, Cotonou Benin Republic

===========================================================================================

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam