419 scam: "Dr.Philips.Adams"<fileoffice9@gmail.com> PAYMENT NOTIFICATION

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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:
- "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. )
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "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.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22998433418 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- rapheljohnny11@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr.Philips.Adams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rapheljohnny11@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:15:50 +0100
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION

PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL,
zenith Heights Plot 87 Ajose Adeogun Street,
COTONOU BENIN REP,

PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
This is touring to your notice that, I have paid the re-activation fee and the delivery of your ATM.I paid it because the ATM Card 8119 1.5m usd,has less than three days to expire and when it expires, the money will go into Government purse. With that I decided to help you pay the money so that the ATM will not expire, because I know when you get your ATM card definitely you must pay me back my money and even compensate me for helping you.

Now I want you to contact DHL Delivery Service with your Full Contact information’s so that they can deliver your Card to your designated address without any delay. Like I stated earlier, the delivery charges has been paid but I did not pay their official keeping fees since they refused. They refused and the reason is that they do not know when you are going to contact them and demurrage might have increase.

Below is their Contact Information’s,
Contact Person: Raphel Johnny
DHL Delivery Service
Email: (rapheljohnny11@gmail.com)
Tel: +229 98433418 And also send them your full information’s.

You’re Name........
You’re Contact Address.......
Your direct phone number........
YOUR COUNTRY........
And your age........
Your Occupation.........
Contact them today to avoid increase of their keeping fees and let me know once you receive your Card.
Yours Rev.Dr.Philips.Adams
ATM OFFICE
ZENITH BANK

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam