419 scam: vipmessage1@gmail.com HELLO

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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:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "clearance 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. )
- "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. )
- "consignment " (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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- atmvisaintl01@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: vipmessage1@gmail.com
Reply-To: "SUPP. STEVEN TIBANU." <atmvisaintl01@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2011 04:20:53 +0900 (JST)
Subject: HELLO

INTERPOL
RC-32657, INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COMMAND,
BENIN REPUBLIC

DO NOT DISREGARD OR DISCARD THIS INFORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT, IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE YOUR APPROVED FUND.

Attention: Beneficiary,

This is to inform you, regarding your sealed consignment box which was surposed to be delivered by a Special Diplomat and was brought back to Africa. We aware of the clearances which was requested from the authorities. The clearance fee has been taken care by the stakeholders and this is why your box was brought back to Africa where the funds originated and approved . Now the stakeholders have decided to pay out the total sum $2.4m via atm card through the services of dhl, fedex or tnt courier company and to avoid hitches during delivery.

NOTE: Every arrangement have been made with the delivery of your atm card via courier services and the only fee you will need to pay is the activation fee to enable the bank deduct the delivery and official registration to your name.

Once more, Do not give out your email account password to any offices or persons.

Be advised to contact ATM DISPATCHING UNIT Benin Republic on the information below with your full names, any kind of identification, your curent address and cellphone number which will help to facilitate delivery safely. The said office will also give the pin number and guide you on the limit of withrawal daily.

Contact Person: Dr Patrick Agiliga
Email(atmvisaintl01@yahoo.co.jp)

N/B, We have sent an alert to the ATM DISPATCHING UNIT OFFICE and they informed us that you have not contacted them yet, So try as much as possible to get in contact with them immediately to enable them carry out all the necessaries and requirment regarding the atm delivery.

As soon as you get in touch with them, do not hesitate to get back to this Office for proper record and update.

THANKS AND GOD BLESS
INTERPOL REGIONAL OFFICE BENIN

OFFICER IN CHARGE; SUPP. STEVEN TIBANU.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam