419 scam: office alert <igwenorai@gmail.com> PICK UP YOUR FIRST PAYMENT OF $5000 TODAY.

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "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.
- +22998231661 (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.
- u.western62@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: office alert <igwenorai@gmail.com>
Reply-To: u.western62@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 10 Sep 2011 01:30:28 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: PICK UP YOUR FIRST PAYMENT OF $5000 TODAY.

Dear Friend,

I'm writing this to inform you that we have sent your first payment of $5,000.00USD today to your address,through Western union as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full compensation payment total sum of (TWO MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLERS) via western union,by the Authorities of (IMF/SENATORS COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN PAYMENT).

Meanwhile,The first transfer of $5,000.00USD was sent to you and I have listed the (MTCN)and sender's name, so that you can pick up this first pament,to enable us send another $5,000.00USD Next Tomorrow, as you know that we will be sending you only $5,000.00USD for every two two days.

Please note that the transfer charges of that $5,000.00USD is $95.00USD,so contact DR.Kiki Raymond,the director of western union payment department in Republic of Benin, with the fee,to enable him release the secret code for you to pick up your first payment now, from any western union in your country, because there already transferred your first payment of $5,000.00USD, but it Was placed on hold due to the activation Fee of $95.00USD,and try to call him immediately you sent email to him.

Director Name; DR Kiki Raymond,
Telephone Number is: 00229-98-23-16-61,
Email Addres:(u.western62@yahoo.com.hk)

Try to update me once you pick up your money, Here is the western union payment details to pick up the $5,000.00USD, once you send the activation Fee,then he will release the code for you, To enable you go to any western union and pick up your money immediately.

Payment Informations,
MTCN: _______________0058766817
Sender's Name: _________
Text Question: __________transfer
Answer: _______________Immediately
Amount Sent___________$5000.00USD
Country: _______________Republic of Benin

I will be waiting to hear from you once you pick up this $5,000.00USD,
Try your best and follow up the western union instruction by sending the $95.00uSD so that they will give you the code to pick up your first payment of $5.000USD,send them the activation Fee of $95.00USD,via this information below.

Receiver Name:....Uba Samuel
Text Question:....Very
Answer: ........Urgent
country:.....Benin Republic
city:........Cotonou
Amount:.....$95.00USD only.

Thank you very much for your co-operation.

yours in service,
Dr Kiki Raymond.
(Supervisor Western Union Republic of Benin)
Regulated by the Delivery Services Authority.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam