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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: From Western Union department <atmcomp733@gmail.com>
Reply-To: western58@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2021 13:17:18 -0700
Subject: ATTN;BENEFICIARY

Attention,

We have deposited the check of your fund ($4.800`000`00USD) through
Western Union department after our finally meeting regarding your
fund, All you will do is to contact Western Union director Mr.Michael
Smith via E-mail:(western58@yahoo.com ). He will give
you direction on how you will be receiving the funds daily.Remember to
send him your Full information to avoid wrong transfer such as,

Receiver's Name_______________
Address: ________________
Country: _____________
Phone Number: _____________

Execpt only the $157 which you have to pay before receiving your
fund.

Though Agent: Mr.John Williams has sent $5000 in your name today so
contact Mr.Michael Smith or you call him +229- as soon as you
receive this email and tell him to give you the Mtcn, sender name and
question/answer to pick the $5000 Please let us know as soon as you
received all your fund.

Best Regards.
WESTERN UNION AGENT

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