419 scam: "Mr.Hubert Zita" <ndu02@rediffmail.com> ATTENTION: VALUED CUSTOMER , ,

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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:
- "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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "i am using this medium to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
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.
- +22999610210 (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.
- w.office40@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Hubert Zita" <ndu02@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: w.office40@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2011 19:54:39 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: ATTENTION: VALUED CUSTOMER , ,

ATTENTION: CUSTOMER ,

Thank You for using our online services in receiving your full sum of $US600.000.00.We are happy to have you as our customer!Prior to my previous e mail,the converting of the check had finished and we have sent your 2 Payments today $US5000 each for confirmation,and we are waiting for the needed fees,which you are to pay before the payment will be release to you and we need your fast response to handle it.Note: If you haven't authorized this transaction, click the link below to dispute transaction and get full refund.
Â
(First Payment information for confirmation.)
#MTCN :( 5600503306)
Senders First Name: Paul
Sender Last Name: Chiozie
Senders Country: BENIN REPUBLIC.
Amount: $US5000
Â
(Second Payment information for confirmation)
#MTCN :( 8120460186)
Senders First Name: Emmanuel
Sender Last Name: Christian
Senders Country: BENIN REPUBLIC.
Amount: $US5000
Â
You should track your payment online from here bellow:
Â
http://www.westernunion.com/WUCOMWEB/staticMid.do?
Â
I am using this medium to inform you that failure to pay the charges will leave us with no option but to deactivate your 2mtcn# number of which you will and can never cash up until we confirmed the needed fee Note, that you will be receiving $5000 United state Dollars 2 times everyday until you complete receiving your full fund $US600.000.00.Proceed to Western Union office or Money Gram Money Transfer and make the payment immediately.
Â
Donâ€™t permit this little fee to hinder your transfer payment by now ok.Kindly view the below information of Our Receiver accountant officer where you will direct the payment to enable us act fast and release your payment on hold for you to pick up your $5000 and receive another payment tomorrow as the instruction stated.
Â
Receivers Name.......MICHAEL OBIEKWE
Country........BENIN REPUBLIC
City....... COTONUO
Text Question........Honest?
Answer.......Trust.
Sender Name.......
MTCN.....
Amount to pay......Euros 120.00 Only
Â
Payment should be sent with the below information today, and make the payment through Western Union Money Transfer or Money Gram use our bank cashier name Mr.Kelly Donna in sending the money to us through Western Union money transfer, may the Lord Our God give you the foresight and foreknowledge to understand that this, the Peace of God be with you.

Yours in service.
Mr.Hubert Zita
Director, Call 00229 99610210
Special Transfer Unit
E-mail: { w.office40@yahoo.com }

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam