419 scam: "Mrs.Janet Sunset" <okla-art@att.net> Attention Beneficiary:

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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. )
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "westerrn_union_benin@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "westerrn_union_benin@w.cn" (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.
- +22999693531 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Janet Sunset" <okla-art@att.net>
Reply-To: westerrn_union_benin@w.cn
Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2010 20:19:04 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Attention Beneficiary:

Attention Beneficiary:

My dear be informed that your fund of One Million Five Hundred thousand United State Dollars ($1,500,000.00USD) has been deposited to Western Union for immediate transfer, The payment will be sent to you installment by western Union, the amount you will receive per each day is $5,000.00 ( Five thousand Dollars ) The Minister Trust Funds of United Nation will be sending to you the current standard track details you need to pick up your ($5,000) payment by western union every day till you receive the total amount of $1,500,000.00 United State Dollars.

The Director administrator trust funds have already signed your payment, now you are free to contact the western union payment office on this email::( westerrn_union_benin@w.cn ) however, kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your payment by Western Union per $5,000 a day.

Contact Person:( Rev. Ted Bello)
Western Union Department Benin,
Mobile:+229-9969-3531.
E-mail:( westerrn_union_benin@w.cn )

The Western Union Payment Center has been mandated to issue out your payment and you have to stop any further communication with any other person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitches in receiving your payment.

Note that the administrator payment need this details from you to process your payment:

Your full name_________________________

Your address__________________________

Your country__________________________

Your age_____________________________

Your occupation_______________________

Your Phone number____________________

Comply now by asking Reverend Ted Bello your payment MTCN Numberbecause as soon as you sent this required details to Rev. Ted Bello,he will start sending your payment by Western Union.

Regards,
Mrs.Janet Sunset.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam