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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <clyo@katamail.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2019 07:53:05 -0800
Subject: RE: OFFICIAL WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER PART-PAYMENT NOTICE!!

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES
Internal Audit,Monitoring,Consulting And Investigations Division
 
RE: OFFICIAL WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER PART-PAYMENT NOTICE
 
Attention,
 
My name is Ms. Heidi Mendoza, from the United Nations. It is a distinct pleasure to write you again. As you are well aware many foreigners have invested thousands of United States Dollars into Nigeria transactions in Hopeless Dreams to have none of them become a reality. Your file is one of the approved legitimate beneficiaries to receive part-payment of your fund.
 
Right now,as directed by our secretary general Mr. António Guterres, We have agreed with the Nigeria Government that US$250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars Only) would be paid to you through the Western Union Money Transfer Via special arrangement as first installment. This is to enable you have enough funds to pay for the Tax Clearance and bank charges before you will receive the balance of your outstanding payment.
 
Please take note that you will pay US$320 only being Notarization fee and this is the only financial obligation that you will undertake to receive the US$250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars Only) through the Western Union Money Transfer.
 
Based on the above subject matter, I would like you to urgently respond to this message with your full name, address and telephone number so that I can activate the Western Union Money Transfer on your behalf within the next 24 hours and release your fund.
Note: I have been Officially Assigned to facilitate this Transaction, I hereby advise you adhere to my instruction to enable us complete your Compensation Fund Transfer Successfully after your payment of $320 activation and notarization fee.
Sincerely yours,
Ms. Heidi Mendoza
SECRETARY UNITED NATIONS
OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES

Anti-fraud resources: