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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: WESTERN UNION <emmanhuaberk0091@gmail.com>
Reply-To: westernunionofficebenin0991@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2022 23:08:30 -0800
Subject: YOUR FIRST PAYMENT HAS BEEN SENT TO YOU

--
How are you today?

I write to inform you that we have already sent you USD $5000.00.
dollars through Western union as we have been given the mandate to
transfer your full compensation payment total sum of USD $8.200.000.00
via western union by this government.

I was calling your telephone number to give you the information
through phone but you did not pick up my calls throughout that
yesterday even this morning.Now, I decided to email you the MTCN and
sender name so that you will pick up this USD $5000.00. to enable us
send another USD $5000.00. today as you know we will be sending you
only US$5000.00. per day. Please pick up this information and run to
western union to pick up the USD $5000.00. and call me back to send
you another payment today,

Director western Union Benin Republic
Manager:::: MR. ANTHONY JOHNSON
My direct phone line is +1(234) 247 4513,
EMAIL:::::: (( westernunionofficebenin0991@gmail.com ))

call or email me once you picked up this USD $5000.00. today. Here is
the western union information to pick up the USD $5000.00.;

Money Transfer Control Number: 1870132312
Sender’s First Name: Elizabeth
Sender’s Last Name: Nakiganda
Text Question: HONEST
Answer: TRUST
Amount: USD $5000.00

I am waiting for your call once you pick up this USD $5000.00 Please
email me your direct telephone number because I need to be calling you
once we send any payment for the information.

Thanks
WESTERN UNION

Anti-fraud resources: