419 scam: "Mr. Mike Eros"<jeffflave@yahoo.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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- "paymentdpmt09@ibibo.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.
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.
- +22996433454 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Mike Eros" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paymentdpmt09@ibibo.com>
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:02:22 +0100
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION

Dear Friend,

Indicating this code (011887) to Western Union Money Transfer the board of Federal Ministry of Finance, Benin is here to notify you of payment inherited funds of ($1.8mUSD), therefore, a meeting was held 29th June, 2009. His Excellency the president of the Federal Republic of Benin has instructed this department to send your funds to you via Western Union Money Transfer to facilitate the receiving of your inherited fund without further delay.

Therefore, you are required to provide your full name and address to the Payment Officer to where you want the fund to be transferred via Western Union . The maximum amount you are supposed to be receiving subsequently per day is ($8.000USD) as soon as your information are confirmed and approved as the listed item below; you shall be advised to contact our Payment Officer with the necessary requirement information listed below:

Receiver Name:

Country;

City:

Tel:

Text Question:

Answer:

Contact: Dr. John Odome.

The Head of Monetary Department,

Federal Ministry of Finance , Benin .

Tel: +229-96-43-34-54 Email: (paymentdpmt09@ibibo.com)

Mr. Mike Eros.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam