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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: Western Union <unionuniontarnsferngwestern@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 6 May 2014 11:43:21 +0000
Subject: Re: Your $5000.00 payment is ready for pick up by you now,

Western Union Head Office
Lagos Nigeria
www.westernunion.com

Re: Your $5000.00 payment is ready for pick up by you now,

This is to inform you that we have been waiting for you to contact me
about your payment of (US$800,000.00 ) in an ATM payment card, note
that we have programmed funds to be transferred under installmentally
at the rate of $5,000 daily as Western Union laws here in Nigeria does
not allow the transfer of funds above $5,000 at once from this country
to another, but we will be sending your funds under installment of
$5,000 daily till the amount of $500.000.00usd is completely Paid to
you as the beneficiary of the ATM card in questioned.

In other words, We have today transferred your first installment
payment ($5,000) available for your pickup at any western union office
nearest to you, but still on hold due to the unpaid endorsement &
daily activation file fee amount of $225 that you are supposed to pay
before your daily transfer will be made available to you. You will
pick up the installment at any western union office nearest to you
with the below information's as soon as you submit the $225
endorsement & daily activation file fee. Once the activation is made ,
you can track your first installment payment with the Western Union
tracking number 1-800-325-6000 or through the western union global
website so as for you to know that the money is available for pick up
(but will not be released you without the file activation fee).
Payment information
Direct Line: +2348022892116 Name: Mr Edward Atta Bobo
Here is the information to pick up the first $5000.00;
MTCN: 2611-383-012
Sender's Name:
Text Question: In God?
Answer: We Trust
Amount: US$5000.00
The endorsement & daily activation file fee of $225 should be sent to
our office here in care to our accounting officer through Western
Union Money Transfer nearest to you.
You are to send the endorsement activation charges with the information below.
1.Receiver Name:.......CHINEDU UBOCHI
2.Country:.......Nigeria.
3.City :.........Lagos.
4..Test Question:....Color
5.Test Answer:......Red
Amount $225
MTCN…………
Sender……….
As soon as you send the fee, send us the transfer Mtcn/Reference # to
help us proceed with immediate transfer activation of your first
installment payment.
Notice: This preference is being given to you to our good name and
also to make sure we get your fund paid to you with no complication of
things or delay.
Note: the Activation Fees could not be deducted from the ATM card
here, as we have no access to the fund due to the Fact that it was
placed in an ATM card and not cash at hand.
Treat As Urgent and get back to this office with receipt of your
payment for fast procedures here.
I am waiting for your call once you pick up this $5000.00, and email
me your direct telephone number because I need to be calling you once
we send another payment.
Accept our congratulations.
MR EDWARD ATTA BOBO
Western Union Head OfficeLagos

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