419 scam: "INTERPOL BENIN REP." <interpol199@interpol.gov> PAY ATTENTION TO THIS

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "demurrage " (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. )
- "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. )
- "consignment " (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)
- "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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "fred_miller@barid.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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: "INTERPOL BENIN REP." <interpol199@interpol.gov>
Reply-To: fred_miller@barid.com
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 18:02:12 -0200
Subject: PAY ATTENTION TO THIS

INTERNATIONAL POLICE(INTERPOL)
INVESTIGATION ON FURGITIVES DIVISSION.
GREAT PACK LANE BY KINGS PALACE
HUGOMA.COTONOU.REPUBLIC DU .BENIN)

PAY ATTENTION TO THIS

You are welcome to the Desk of MR. FRED MILLER, International Interpol Police
Force Investigating Unit Benin Republic,Working together towards a
corruption-free world by promoting and defending integrity, Justice
and the rule
of law¹ Mission statement of the International Anti-Corruption
Academy, We cover
West African Countries. You have been reported today from World delivering
courier department.

This is official notice to you that your Fund which was to be deliver to you
over a couple of months now was returned back to Benin Republic, after report
received from ( FBI ) Washington DC Capital of United States of
America, I know
that you have been waiting for your fund for months now, it is unfortunate
that it was returned back, in case if anyone might be contacting you
via phone
or email regarding to it know it that is right here in our office.

We need your absolute co-operation right now because, your package worth total
amount of US$12.8Million United State Dollars) is right now in our custody of
Interpol Police Force Unity Benin Republic. Due Corruption undermines
political,
social and economic stability. It threatens security and damages trust and
public confidence in a system which affects people¹s daily lives. Although
corruption frequently occurs at local or national level, its consequences are
global; its hidden costs immense.

And information we get from Jerry William III delivery company man stated that
he missed your location he also stated that you are now dead and even
explained
that you entered into an agreement with some one, to help you receive the fund
of yours . As the world¹s largest International Interpol organization,
is taking
its place at the forefront of the fight against corruption after we
received the
report from (FBI) we decided to call the Fund back to our custody just to find
out the truth behind it.

In view of this development, you are requested to confirm to us with your full
names, postage address and telephone numbers to enable us fine away to deliver
this fund to your door step by International Interpol Police Force Unity
Immunity, We have 186 member Countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates
cross-border Police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations,
authorities and services whose mission is to prevent or combat
International Crime.

Interpol aims to facilitate International Police Force co-operation even where
diplomatic relations do not exist between particular Countries. Action
is taken
within 72hours the limits of existing laws in different Countries and in the
spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Interpol Police Force, in partnership with the Stars Initiative, is working
towards the recovery and return of stolen assets. This project allows Interpol
to actively engage national law enforcement bodies in coordinated efforts to
trace, seize, confiscate and return public funds to victims.

Meanwhile, the demurrage your fund has accumulated so far since it is
back into
our custody is total amount of $175 and we are advising you to be fast in all
your action to avoid more demurrages. Be rest assured that upon receipt of the
above information with the fee of $175 ,we will proceed in delivering your
consignment which will be accompanied by our delegate For security reasons
endeavor to indicate this ( CODE NUMBER ) ( BJ/XXL14160) this code shows that
you are the rightful owner of the Package.

Below Interpol Police accountant officer name where you should send the money
through western union money transfer or money gram office.

Receiver Name.: ............. JIM UDO
Country.:................ Benin Republic
City.................Port Novo
Address.. 21Anavie Ecole primarie
Test question........When
Answer.............Today
Amount....... $175
MTCN..............?
Sender's Name................?

DO NOT FORGET TO SEND TO US THE PAYMENT INFORMATION IMMEDIATELY YOU HAVE SEND
THE MONEY FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION .

THANKS AND GOD BLESS
INTERPOL REGIONAL OFFICE BENIN
OFFICER IN CHARGE; MR. FRED MILLER.
EMAIL (fred_miller@barid.com)
GREAT PACK LANE BY KINGS PALACE
HUGOMA.COTONOU.REPUBLIC DU .BENIN)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam