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:

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. )
- "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. )
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: "MR. GEORGE WADY" <hjfgjhdhfgnfmbcgcvvfjm@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: "MR. GEORGE WADY" <info.1232013@yandex.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:29:39 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: ARE YOU STILL ALIVE OR DEAD? THESE ARE YOUR FUNERAL PICTURES HE
SUBMITTED TO US REPORTED BY MR. GEORGE WADY.

|
| Â Â Â Â Â ARE YOU STILL ALIVE OR DEAD? THESE ARE YOUR FUNERAL PICTURES HE SUBMITTED TO US REPORTED BY MR. GEORGE WADY.
ARE YOU STILL ALIVE OR DEAD? THESE ARE YOUR FUNERAL PICTURES HE SUBMITTED TO US REPORTED BY MR. GEORGE WADY

| AttentionÂ

Please note that we provide a 100% guarantee receipt of your withdraw because we have perfectly carried out the process. Please note that Mrs. George Wady came to our office this morning again and bring this picture attachment that i send to you that you are dead that the picture is your burial ceremony picture that they are here with the $50.00 that you told them about this fund, Please let us know if this is truth. 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.

There is no additional cost, the only fee we are charging you is $50.00 period to withdraw, we will be able to release your fund 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 orÂ with the below information:

Receiver name......MARK NWEKEY
Country Benin......Republic
City........Cotonue
Amount......$50.00
Test....Question GOD
Test Answer....BLESS

| THESE ARE YOUR FUNERAL PICTURES HE SUBMITTED TO US |
| Â | Â | Â |

Â
| THESE ARE YOUR FUNERAL PICTURES HE SUBMITTED TO US |
| Â Â | Â | Â |

Â Â REPORTED BY MR. GEORGE WADY |

This e-mail message is intended only for the named recipient(s) above and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you have received this message in error, or are not the named recipient(s), please immediately notify the sender and delete this e-mail message. |

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam