419 scam: "DR. Greg Johnson" <info.effegooffice1@gmail.com> $10,000.00usd AS PART PAYMENT FOR THIS QUARTER.} through Western Union been you

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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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "DR. Greg Johnson" <info.effegooffice1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: info.gregj@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 3 May 2011 13:46:19 +0100 (BST)
Subject: $10,000.00usd AS PART PAYMENT FOR THIS QUARTER.} through Western Union been your over due CONTRACT/INHERITANCE funds.-

Valued attention,

We write to inform you that you will receive the sum of $5,000.00usd (Five Thousand US Dollars) for 2 Days {$10,000.00usd AS PART PAYMENT FOR THIS QUARTER.} through Western Union been your over due CONTRACT/INHERITANCE funds.
.
Please note that a pending credit for $27 appears on your financial account ,to complete the transfer process you need to send the fee by western union or by money gram, And you are require to send the requested fee with the below details:

1.RECEIVER NAME---Kelvin O. Omokwe
2.COUNTRY-- BENIN REPUBLIC.
3.CITY---COTONOU .Add :--NO 123 SEGBEYA cotonou -Benin.
5.TEXT QUESTION--what colure
6.TEXT ANSWER---white
7.Amount---$27
MTCN-------

As soon as you send it do reconfirm the bellow information:
Your mobile phone.................
Receivers first name.................
Receivers second name.....................
Country....................... .....
City.............................
and the MTCN..........of the fee sent.

This will enable us automate your name and the information as the rightful beneficiary to receive this payment and simultaneously make your MTCN's valid for the total withdrawals of your funds. i.e. you will use the MTCN to be released to you subsequently on a daily basis to pick up the cash {$5,000.00usd} from any western union in your country according to our normal payment schedule once we have confirmed your information and the account screening and security deposit fee $27 .

Please note that this payment has been successfully keyed !awaiting the above information to permit the automatically receipt of the MTCN's .
Thanks for your understanding as we believe this is in order.

Waiting to hear from you soon.

Greg Johnson
International Settlement Dept.
west Africa Benin Republic

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam