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. )
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "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.
- +22962423839 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Western Union Directors Dr.Peter Morris" <PeterMorris2@carol.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Western Union Directors Dr.Peter Morris" <w.unon1@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2015 19:46:32 +0900 (JST)
Subject: THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE ( 204) Welcome To Western Union Bonus
Center

THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE ( 204)
Welcome to Western Union Bonus Center
Benin Republic Send Money Worldwide
FROM OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY
TRANSFER. COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS,
23 BOMBAY WAY,WHITE HOUSE,RUE,85745, COTONOU.
CUSTOMER CARE LINE;+229-62-423-839
And Receive Money Via Any Western Union Store Near You!

Hello Dear Customer,

This is to notify all of you about the latest development concerning all the payment that are left in our custody,which yours are inclusive Besides, where you are given a bill of $150.00, in order to receive your payment which we didn$B!G(Bt hear from you for sometime now. Hence, our Western Union is now offering a Special BONUS to help all our customers that are having their payment in our custody due to of high prices. In order words we are now requesting that those involve should pay only the sum of $50.00, to receive all their payment abandoned in our custody.

Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you and have to comply and your funds shall be transfer to your designated address. But remember that after (9 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will diverted\ your funds to Government Fund, to avoid problem or we will cancel the payment for this year until next year because this year is not like last year.

Again after (NINE DAYS ) We will enter A new project for the year and that is the reason why we decided to help all our customers before we enter into the new project. So be advise to send the $50.00,immediately so that we will register your payment and start receiving $4,500.00 as from today until 24th next week been Thursday . Be advise that there is no time again for we to call any person on phone unless you will call +229-62-423-839.After the payment of $50.00, you will start receiving your money every day $4,500.00, through Western Union and Money Gram until the full payment of $3.8 million usd is completed. So what you will be receiving per day is $4,500.00.

Therefore you are requested to send the fee via western union moneytransfer with below information. Or Money Gram

Receiver Name::::::::: Damion Chinedu
Country:::::::: Benin Republic
City::::::: Cotonou
Amount::::: $50.00
Text Question: In God
Text Answer: We Trust
Sender's Name::::??
Money Transfer Control Number:::??

The moment i receive the payment of $50.00, i will release the first payment information's of $4,500 to you and you will pick up the money and i will send you another money. Hoping to hear from you.

FOR THE MANAGEMENT
FROM FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER
WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC
THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE ( 204)
PETER MORRIS
YOU CAN CALL HIM IMMEDIATELY YOU SEND THE $50 OK,
+229-62-423-839

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam