419 scam: "Dr. GREG JOHNSON" <info.williams011@gmail.com> Provided the TAX clearance

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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:

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. )
- "tax clearance" (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. )
- "clearance document" (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. )
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "non-resident tax" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "info.gregj@zing.vn" (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.
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. GREG JOHNSON" <info.williams011@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:34:24 +0400
Subject: Provided the TAX clearance

Compliments and Greetings,

This is an official notification of the availability of your full
entitlement valid $200.000.00 united states dollars which has not been
affected due to official negligence. This transfer has been held pending
and its original account suspended pending when the benefactor provided the
TAX clearance document .but the impostors who are operating in syndicates
all over the world today are misled and misguided you about the position of
your fund with the sole aim of exporting money from you that explain why
you have not receive the payment up-to-date.

However, you are advised to immediately reconfirm your telephone and
currant contact/ payment receiving details to this e-mail address
(info.gregj@zing.vn) .You will receive your payment by: (1) By wire
transfer direct to your nominated bank account. (2). Issuing you ATM CARD
(3) or by drawing a cashiers cheque payable in your name, with strict
procedures of the International funds transfer rules and regulations in
avoidance of unhealthy intents and unnecessary delay.

So, let us know which of option you like to receive your monies .But
before we proceed, you are required to make a payment of the Non-resident
tax clearance of $30 only as the authorities demand which is described as
selective payment to enable us effect maximum clearance on your file and
automate your full information on the transfer script text to ensure that
the payment reach your hand on time through a legal secure way from the
exact time frame we initiate our service if you accurately furnished us
with our requirement as instructed.

It is mandatory that you will send the fee via western union only to
Provide the Non-resident tax with the below information

Senders Name-----
Recivers name---- Kelvin O. Omokwe
Destination country --- Benin Republic
City and state -- Cotonou
Zip code --- +229
Question----What Color?
Answer---Blue
Amount---------$30
MTCN--------

As soon as you send the money, kindly forward the MTCN to me/ attachement
of the western union only.

Note that we have no legal right to deduct or add to the value of your
funds because your payment has already been keyed into the system for final
transfer, thus the compliance with this condition this payment will reach
you within 48 banking hour or less.

Yours faithfully,
Dr. Greg Johnson
International Clearing House West Africa- BENIN
Affiliate to the World Association of Debt Management.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam