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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: "Mr Nicolas Briggs" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bonusofficewesternunion428@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:24:44 +0100
Subject: Western Union Compensate Offering You A Special BONUS.

FROM THE OFFICE BLU WESTERN UNION COMPENSATIONS BONUS ORGANIZERS.
Dr. Victor Ethelbert, 17 Avenue De l'Independence, 2nd Street, COTONOU. BENIN REP. PAYMENT NOTIFICATION: SPECIAL BONUS COMPENSATIONS FOR FINAL WARNING OF YOUR PAYMENT OR IT WILL BE CANCELLED.

Attn: Beneficiary,

This is to inform you about the latest RESOLVED by the Board of Directors in respect to your (UNCLAIMED) Inheritance; Lotto won which have been in our custody for a long period till date. We learnt that you were asked to pay some certain amount in order to receive your (FUNDS) of which you could not then, due to one reason or the other. Now Western Union (Department) here is offering you a (SPECIAL BONUS COMPENSATION) to help you in receiving your total (FUNDS) in our custody. In other words, we are now need ($48) only from you for RE-NEW AND RECONFIRM FEE YOUR OLD PAYMENT FILE which was expired to enable you start receiving your (OUTSTANDING UNCLAIMED FUNDS) left in our custody.

Meanwhile, this is the last opportunity for you to receive your (FUNDS) and you are advised for your best interest to comply immediately with this resolution and you will start receiving your funds ($9,000) per day 2x1, totaling ($850,000.00). Note that after (4 DAYS) of this notice and you fail to make the renewal payment as required, then we will convert the funds to Government account as the law stipulates here which will result to a cancellation of your payment. Also Note that after (3 weeks) of this notice, we shall enter for a new project for the year and that is our reason for offering you this help, so do not to fail to comply.

You are hereby advised to contact the paying officer as directed and send your details as stated below and also pay the ($48) immediately, so that we can key in your payment in our PAYMENT DATA BASE to enable you to start receiving your payment from tomorrow After the payment of ($48) you will start receiving your money every day ($4,500 X 2) either through Western Union or Money Gram preferably by you ($9,000) until the full payment of ($850,000.00) is completed. The total sum you will be receiving per day is ($9,000) in two payment ($4,500 X 2)
Now re-confirm and forward the below required information to the Paying Officer
to avoid wrong transfer:

(1) Beneficiary Name----------------
(2) Country and Address--------------------
(3) Direct Tel------------------
(4) Attach of your ID or driving license--------------------

Contact Person: Dr. Victor Ethelbert,
Emails: bonusofficew@yahoo.com.hk
Emails: bonusofficewesternunion428@yahoo.com.hk
Tel: +229 (643-438-31)

Here is the information to make the payment through Western Union or Money Gram office nearby,

Receiver: Abuchi Ekwegbelu.
Country: Benin Republic
City: Cotonou
Amount: USD$48
Question: Confirm
Answer: Ready

Yours Faithfully.
Mr. Nicolas - Briggs
Board of Directors
Department Association

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