419 scam: "Web Office"<weboffice1@blumail.org> IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT

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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:
- "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your payment is being processed" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "to your nominated bank account" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "foreign exchange" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Web Office" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <web.office01@blumail.org>
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:29:11 +0800
Subject: IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT

BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L’AFRIQUE DE L’OUEST(BCEAO)
CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICA
Agence principale de Cotonou
Avenue Jean Paul I Cotonou,
BP 325 Cotonou,
Benin Republic.
Telex : 5211 BCEAO COTONOU
Our Ref: BR/102/0005B/06

ATTN:SoleBeneficiary

PAYMENT OF $30.7M ON CONTRACT REF: BR/102/0005B/06

Citing your reference for the release and payment of 30,700,000.00 with Ref: BR/102/0005B/06 and Foreign Exchange Allocation Number BMF-52114 as it appears on our payment schedule,be informed that approval has been given to effect the transfer of the above sum in your favour.

From the records of outstanding contractors/Next of Kin Fund due for payment with the Government of Benin Republic, your name and company was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding Payments who have not yet received their payments.
I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from my record in my file your utstanding part payment is US$30,700,000.00 (Thirty million seven hundred thousand united states dollars).
Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Company name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.

As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to you in a Certified Bank Draft or wired to your nominated bank account directly from CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICA (BCEAO).

Regards,

Prof Nnamdi Mbutu
Director of Foreign Operations.
CENTRAL BANK OF WEST AFRICA (BCEAO)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam