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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: wu office <redatula@link.net>
Reply-To: mr.thomaswilliams@outlook.com
Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2017 15:38:18 +0100
Subject: GOOD MORNING THIS IS WESTERN UNION AGENT STAFF.

HELLO GOOD MORNING THIS IS WESTERN UNION AGENT STAFF.

I have sent you several notices concerning the claim of your benefit that was paid to you as compensation from Africa following my petition against the
Government as a human right activist to compensate you with the sum of $1,500,000.00 USD But I have not heard from you ever since and I hope you will reply this last notice. You were meant to be receiving $10,000.00 usd daily until it completes the correct amount of $1,500,000.00 USD For better understanding of what I mean, please copy this link: https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/self-serve/app/tracktransfer , Then enter the following details on the displayed box fields and click CHECK STATUS to track your money online with,

(1) Sender's Name:--------------SAMEER Mirza.
MTCN : -------------- 625-791-3539
Text Question:--------------- In God
Answer: --------------- We Trust
Amount: --------------- USD $5000
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX
(2) Sender's Name:-------------- SAMEER FIDEL.
MTCN : -------------- 4048-6233-22
Text Question:------- In God
Answer: --------------We Trust
Amount: --------------USD $5000

The status now shows Available for pick up by receiver before it will blank up due to hackers because this amount has been on the system so long for security reasons, since I did not get any reply message from you after sending you several notices with the transaction details to enable you pick up your MTCN, Now you are strongly advised for the last time to go on to make payment of $250 usd for the activation charges via western union money transfer immediately with the details of the western union agent in Benin.LIKE I SAID YOUR URGE TO SEND THE $250 TO BELOW INFORMATION OKAY.

RECEIVER NAME; I will give you the receiver name if you are ready to make the payment now.
COUNTRY;............ BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY................COTONOU
TEST QUESTION; UGENT
ANSWER; YES
AMOUNT; $250
MTCN...............

And send the payment details via email as it clearly appear on the western union slip because it is impossible and illegal to em-bed the activation charges from the total funds transferred because of the lawful restriction that has been placed on your funds that restricts anyone from tempering with your funds. This amount will be made available again within 20 minutes at your resident local western union office after you have settled the activation fee and I will avail you with the full details of the first 2 M.T.C.N CONTROL NUMBERS of $10,000,00usd.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If your payment for the activation fee is not received after 2 (4) days this time around, you risk forfeiting your benefit permanently.NOTE; YOU WILL BE PICKING UP YOUR TWO TRANSFER TODAY IMMEDIATELY YOU SEND THIS 150 FOR US TO REACTIVATE YOUR TRANSFER AND DIRECT IT FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO PICK IT UP IN YOUR COUNTRY TODAY.

Regards.
The Western Union Money Transfer.
Contact here if you did not get me on this one,here is another Email to reach me manager: erickno14e@gmail.com

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