419 scam: "Mr.Robert Johnson" <officefile00289@att.net> GOOD NEWS FOR YOU.

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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. )
- ",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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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.
- +22998952802 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Robert Johnson" <officefile00289@att.net>
Reply-To: greestarsecurit10@globomail.com
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2011 11:50:10 -0800 (PST)
Subject: GOOD NEWS FOR YOU.

FROM OCEANIC BANK INT'L PLC BENIN REPUBLIC

AVENUE STERMETZ RUE 1255 COTONOU BENIN REP.

TEL/FAX: +229-98 95 28 02.

Attn: Beneficiary Customer,

This is to bring to your notice that the Federal Ministry Of Finance, in
respect with the provision act of decree 114 of the 1999 constitution,
that arrangement has been concluded to effect your payment as soon as
possible and in our bid to transparency.

It is our pleasure to inform you that your ATM Credit Card Number;
4336468976456354 have been approved in your favour. Your Personal
Identification Number is 2120. The ATM Credit Card Value is
(US$1,500,000.00). You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of
$1,500.00 USD is permitted you to withdraw per Day and we are doing
Inter-Switch and you can make withdrawal in any Inter Switch location
and ATM Centre of your choice.

Therefore you are advised to pay the delivery charges of $95.00 only. As
soon as we confirm it, we shall immediately dispatch your ATM Card
Package and email you with the Deliverying Tracking Numbers so you can
be able to pick the ATM Card Package at your home address. Please be
informed that the ATM Card and the Pin-Code would be enclosed in the
envelope and you can make withdrawals from the moment you receive the
package.

You are advised to make the payment of $95.00 available to this office using Western Union Money Transfer with this information:

1. Receiver Name :______Robert Johnson

2. Location:________Cotonou Republicof Benin.

3. Question:_______Month.

4. Answer:________January.

5. Amonut:_______US$95.00.

6. MTCN:_______

As soon as you make the payment send me email with the Western Union
Payment information so that we can proceed to dispatching your package
without wasting time. Furthermore, reconfirm the following informations
to avoid wrong delivery:

1. Your full names:_________

2. Your contact address:_____

3. Your phone numbers:____

4. Your age:_____

5. Your nationality:_____

Be rest assured that once you send the $95.00 your ATM Card will be
delivered to you within 24hours. I promise and assuring you that. Now go
ahead and send the money so that we will register your package once we
receive the fee, I wish you good luck.

Yours in service,
Mr.Robert Johnson

Director Atm Credit Payment dept.

Oceanic Bank Benin Republic.

Tel: +229- 98 95 2802

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam