419 scam: BANK OF AFRICA <mailinfo0c@peoplepc.com> URGENT RESPOND NEEDED.

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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:
- "affidavit of claim" (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. )
- "the required fees" (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. )
- "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. )
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "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.
- +22998292981 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- paymentofficebenin@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: BANK OF AFRICA <mailinfo0c@peoplepc.com>
Reply-To: BANK OF AFRICA <paymentofficebenin@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 23:35:27 +0100 (GMT+01:00)
Subject: URGENT RESPOND NEEDED.

BANK OF AFRICA
Avenue Pape Jean Paul II.
Boîte postale : 08 BP 0879
Cotonou, Benin Republic

Dear Beneficiary,

Having review all the obstacles and problems surrounding the transfer of your (USD $850.000.00) and your inability to meet up with some charges levelled against you due to the past transfer options, We the Board of Directors, Bank Of Africa (BOA) has ordered our Foreign Payment Remittance Unit to issue you payment via Western Union Money Transfer.

But yesterday, one Mrs. Jane Yarbrough came down here with some documents claiming that you appointed her to inherit your funds and today your first transfer of $5,000 has been made to Mrs. Jane but we have not released the transfer information to her. Below is the transfer information of the first transfer of $5,000 USD.

MTCN : 526-841-7430
Sender's Name: Glen Sawyer
Test Question: To Whom?
Answer: Jane

It was after the transfer that we dectated that the files presented by Mrs. Jane did not include a Copy of Sworn Affidavit of Claim which must come from the Federal High Court here. It also noticed that this Sworn Affidavit of Claim is also missing in your payment file which we have in our office.

We want to know if you are the one that sent this person for this claim before we will accept the required fees for the procurement of the Sworn Affidavit from Mrs. Jane and also release the MTCN and other needed information to pick the transfer, but whereby that you do not have idea of Mrs. Jane claims, then you should therefore remit the required fees for the procurement of the Affidavit which is US$49.99. Below is the receiver's information where you should remit the US$49.99

Name: Sunday Onyibor
Address: Cotonou, Benin Republic
Text Question: In God
Answer: We Trust

You should also help us to re-confirm your information to receive your first transfer today. We will therefore get back to you with the payment information of your first transfer of $5,000.

Forward the payment information of the US$49.99 to our western union payment dept (paymentofficebenin@gmail.com) and call them on (+229 98292981)

Mr. Jerry Moore
Board of Directors
BANK OF AFRICA-BENIN
________________________________________ PeoplePC Online A better way to Internet http://www.peoplepc.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam