419 scam: "Mr. Vincent James" <topsy.dapsy@yahoo.com> hello

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "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. )
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.
- +22998077794 (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.
- upsdeliverydept.benin@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Vincent James" <topsy.dapsy@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: upsdeliverydept.benin@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:21:06 +0330
Subject: hello

Hello,

Compliment of the seasons my dear and how are you doing today? Hope you still
remember me? I am Mr. Vincent James, from Ohio (USA) who contacted you some
times ago to assist me secure the release of some money accrued from the over
invoicing of a contract/inheritance payment. It is with my pleasure to inform
you that I have successfully secure the transfer of the money through the
assistance of a new partner from Paraguay.
Meanwhile, I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in
transferring those funds, I appreciated your efforts at that time very
much and
so therefore I have made up my mind to compensate you with 10% of the
total sum
which is US$500,000.00 United States Dollars Cheque, cashable at your
local bank
in your country.
Presently I am in the Paraguay with my new partner and we are into some other
investment project as you may already be aware. So therefore I have drop your
International Certified Check with the UPS delivery department.
You are advise only to fill the below details and forward it to the UPS
delivery department so as to enable them deliver your Check to you safely.
Full Name: ...........................
Address: .............................
Phone Number: ........................
As soon as you fill the above text form, please send it to the UPS delivery
department through their below contacts or by email.
United Parcel Service Benin LTD (UPS)
Plot 15, Kandonu Expressway
Gbagada Industrial Estate
Cotonu.
Benin.
Tel.: +229-98077794
Fax: 229-96044413
E-mail: upsdeliverydept.benin@yahoo.com
At the moment, I am very busy here because of the investment projects which
myself and my new partner are having at hand.
Finally, I have forwarded instructions to the UPS delivery department on your
behalf to send your International Certified Cheque of Five Hundred Thousand
United States Dollars to you as soon as you contact them without delay.
I have already paid the UPS Courier their shipping charges to deliver your
cheque to you, the only payment you will pay to them is the Value Added Tax
(VAT) fee of USD$110, which is mandatory by shipping laws.
Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is
from the
bottom of my heart.
Thanks and God bless.
Best regards,
Mr. Vincent James
Tel: +59521213815

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What can you do when you receive 419 spam