419 scam: "Mr. Ben Mike" <cannonballmc@yahoo.com> To The Owner Of This E-mail

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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "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)
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.
- +22998058160 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Ben Mike" <cannonballmc@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: www.wstern.union@w.cn
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:54:22 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: To The Owner Of This E-mail

Attention,
To The Owner Of This E-mail,How are you today, I write to inform you that we have already sent you $5000.00 dollars through Western union as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full compensation payment total sum of $1.500,000.00 via western union by this governemnt.

I was calling your telephone number to give you the information through phone but you did not pick up my calls throughout that yesterday eventhis morning.Now, I decided to email you the MTCN and sender name so that you will pick up this $5000.00 to enable us send another $5000.00 today as you know we will be sending you only $5000.00 per day.

Please pick up this information and run to western union to pick up the USD5000.00 and call me back to send you another payment today, My direct phone line is +229-98 058 160, Manager Mr. Ben Mike Email;( www.wstern.union@w.cn ) call or email me once you picked up this USD5000.00 today.Here is the western union information to pick up the Money;MTCN: 1431193271 Sender's Name: Icha Kamizo Text Question: HOW MUCH Answer:$5000 Amount:USD $5000.00 I am waiting for your call once you pick up this USD5000.00,

Please email me your direct telephone number because I need to be calling you once we send any payment for the informations.

Thanks
Mr. Ben Mike.
Tele/+229-98 058 160.
Email /www.wstern.union@w.cn

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam