419 scam: "Mr. Paul Ikenna" <wu.transferdesk@w.cn> I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR PASS 6 MONTHS I HAVE COME BACK TO OFFICE YESTERDAY/ U

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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:
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "huge amount of money" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "customercareserviceline@skymail.mn" (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.
- +22996846005 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Paul Ikenna" <wu.transferdesk@w.cn>
Reply-To: customercareserviceline@skymail.mn
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:56:50 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR PASS 6 MONTHS I HAVE COME BACK TO OFFICE YESTERDAY/ URGENT IS NEEDED NOW

Send Money Worldwide
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Attn: Customer,

I am very sorry for my late response, we were very busy programming the entire funds for daily pick of $4,500.00, we did receive your email, I write to let you know that we have successfully programmed the entire funds into our system to enable you pick up $4,500.00 daily, we will send you different MTCN every morning until the total amount valued of $2.3 M is completely transferred to you.

The funds transfers are all in place for you to collect but we have to activate your entire payment due to the huge amount of money involves,

Today transfer details are:

SENDERS FIRST NAME:SUNDAY
SENDERS SURNAME:CHIDOZIE
SENT FROM: Benin Repulic
TEST QUESTION: For Who
ANSWER: confidentialAMOUNT:4,500.00
MTCN:8681170566

We advise that you to visit our website www.westernunion.com and go to track, put in the senders name ( SUNDAY CHIDOZIE) and control number :8681170566 , you will see that the money is available for you to pick up, but you cannot receive the money without activation of the transfer due to the large amount involve, the activation fee is $95.

You are advice to send this $95 activation fee via western union money transfer to our cashier receiver name mentioned below:

RECEIVERS NAME : CHUKWUMA C.SAMUELCOUNTRY: BENIN REPUBLIC
TEST QUESTION: RED
ANSWER: WHITE
AMOUNT: $95

Please send the money transfer control number(mtcn) along with your full senders name as shown on the western union receipt, once we receive this we shall activate the payment and you will immediately start receiving your funds after activation.

You are advice to comply immediately you receive this mail to enable us carry out our duties effectively and urgent as we have schedule because all necessary arrangement has been completed in our end. Immediately we receive the activation fee today, we will activate your entire transfer valued of $2.3million and commence with the release of your daily payment $4,500.00 each morning until your fund is completely transferred to you.

We are waiting for your speedy response together with the payment details today to enable us conclude and call if you have any question +22996846005
Yours truly
MR.JAMES EZE
Email;(customercareserviceline@skymail.mn)
Direct Line Is: +22996846005

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam