419 scam: Dr Rochas Benson <www.halifaxbank_plc@yahoo.com> PAYMENT APPROVAL FROM HALIFAX BANK PLC.

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- halifax4888@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Dr Rochas Benson <www.halifaxbank_plc@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: halifax4888@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:33:22 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: PAYMENT APPROVAL FROM HALIFAX BANK PLC.

HALIFAX BANK LONDON PLC
>From The Desk Of Bennett Johnson
Director Foreign Remittance Department
Halifax Bank London Plc
HALIFAX PLC,174 Armada Way,Plymounth, Devon,
PL1 1JU,UK
www.halifax.co.uk
E-mail: halifax4888@yahoo.com

PAYMENT APPROVAL FROM HALIFAX BANK PLC.

Attn: Sir/Madam.

I am Dr Rochas Benson,Director Foreign Remittance Department Halifax Bank London Plc, set up to fight against scam and Fraudulent activities worldwide.

This Group is responsible for investigating the legitimacy of unpaid contract, inheritance and lotto winning claims by companies and individuals and directs the paying authorities (banks) worldwide to make immediate payment of verified claims to the beneficiaries without further delay.

You are being legally contacted regarding the release of your long awaited fund. After a detailed review of your file, the HALIFAX BANK PLC has mandated the release of your fund immediately. The sum of USD$12.8Million has been approved in your favor via my desk. This payment will be effected through Swift Telegraphic Transfer.

You are advised to Include the following, Your Full name, Your Direct Telephone Numbers, Your Contact address, Your Occupation and Age for reconciliation with Information forwarded to the bank by this office. Note that the above fund has been cleared from terrorist or fraud related Activities.

Thanks for Your Cooperation.

Dr Rochas Benson
Director Foreign Remittance
Department Halifax Bank London Plc

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam