419 scam: LEO BENJAMIN <benjaminleo42@yahoo.pt> DID YOU ASK ANY ONE TO PICK UP YOUR FUND?

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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:

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:
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "cheque " (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. )
- "harrymorgan@admin.in.th" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: LEO BENJAMIN <benjaminleo42@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: LEO BENJAMIN <harrymorgan@admin.in.th>
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2014 04:23:47 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: DID YOU ASK ANY ONE TO PICK UP YOUR FUND?

Â
Attn.Beneficialy,
PAYMENT SCHEDULE/CBN/FEDRESERVE SSCE 0809XX1FOREIGN PAYMENT APPROVAL.
With reference to the approval of your inheritance issued to us and inpursuant to the foreign payment act,laws/treaties(payment intact to thebeneficiary) we have been instructed to release your total sum ($15.5 million united state dollars) by acertified Cheque to you.There is no instruction to change the ownership of the fund to your Brother DIANA Gino.
There is no time we were instructed to transfer your money to the accountof Mrs Johnson (your sister)who you just authorize to pay your fees andcollect your money on your behalf without any formal information to us.The bank especially this Commercial bank that deals with foreigninheritance fund have rules of payment.We cannot release the money to her.Tell her that I said ,,,,.......It is completely illegal to transfer the ownership of your fund to yoursister Diana Johnson ,change your address under 24hrs without telling us..That you don't have the fee is not a guarantee for you to instructtransfer of the fund to your sister. We have no problem and will releasethe money to her but we need your letter of agreement made with her orpower of attorney by which you authorized her as your next of kin tochange your name,pay the fee and receive your funds for you in her ownname.Please,call me immediately or email me on :harrymorgan@admin.in.th)with the accredited above to enable us complete and effect the payment toher designated name/address nominated to us Thanks but NO thanks to sendyour sister(as your Representative) without our information.We cannotrelease the money to her unless we hear from you.I remain,Yours faithfully,MR Harry morgan

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