419 scam: Mr miracle joseph <rkbiala@yahoo.com> CALL MR MIRACLE JOSEPH FOR YOUR MTCN RELEASING ON +22998746691

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.
- +22998746691 (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.
- westernunionbenin82@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr miracle joseph <rkbiala@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: westernunionbenin82@yahoo.fr
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:48:45 -0800 (PST)
Subject: CALL MR MIRACLE JOSEPH FOR YOUR MTCN RELEASING ON +22998746691

SEND MONEY WORLDWIDE:
OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 473 LEU, DE AKPAKPA ROAD.
Welcome to Western Union Tel +22998746691
EmailÂ Â westernunionbenin82@yahoo.frÂ Dear FriendÂ
Â
This is to notify all ofÂ our customers concerning all the payment of $4.7Million, usdÂ Â that are left in our custody,which yours are inclusive Besides, you were given a bill of $250 , in order to receive your payment of which we didnâ€™t hear from you for sometime now. Hence, ourÂ Â is now offering a Special BONUS to help all our customers that are having their paymentÂ in our custody due to of prices. In order words we are now requesting that those involve should pay only the sum of $100 to receive all their payment abandoned in our custody.
Â
Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you and have to comply and your fundsÂ will be transfer to your destination address immediately. But remember that after (3 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will divert your funds to Government Fund, to avoid problem or we will cancel the payment for this month until next monthÂ because this month is not like other months.
Â
Again after (THREE DAYS ) We will enter A new project that is the reason why we decided to help to all our customers before we enter into the new project. Go and send the $100 for us to release this MTCN to you today i have instructed to send the $5000Â today but it is on held reason is because of this fee of $100Here is the payment information,
Â
Senders First Name: Remi
Senders Last Name: Landry
Question:In God
Answer:We trust
Mtcn:775-810-3783
www.westernunion.com
Â
So be advise to send the $100 immediately so that we will register your payment and for you to start receiving $5000Â Â with 30mins we confirm your payment Be advise that there is no time again for we to call any person on phone unless you will call +22998746691 After the payment of $100 is sent to us thenÂ you will start receivingÂ your money everyÂ day $5000Â through Western Union Money Transfer.
Â
Send the $100 usd today through Western Union Money Transfer with this information below,
Â
Receiver's name== :Mr Miracle NwekwuCountry==Â Benin Republic.
City====Cotonou,
Text Question== How long
Answer== Today
Amount=$100
Â
The moment we receive the payment of $100 we will release the first payment informationÂ of $5000 to you and you will pick up the money and we will send you another money until your amount some of $4.7Million,.Â Waiting to hear from youÂ Thanks For Using Western Union as we promise to serve you better.
Â
Regards
Mr miracle joseph
western union Director
CELL +22998746691Available at Brookshire's locations,Â Western UnionÂ is a convenient way to send money fast. It's easy, reliable and you have a choice of great options.Â Use theÂ right money transfer serviceÂ for you to get money there fast, nationwide and worldwide.Â Western Union?Â As we focus on making a difference in people's lives, people focus onÂ WesternÂ UnionÂ and acknowledge the possibilities we offer to those we serveÂ Western UnionÂ PaymentsWestern Union?Welcome toÂ Western UnionSend Money Worldwide
=====================================================================================
Western Union has been operating for over 150 years. Today with just over 400,000 Agent locations worldwide in over 200 countries and territories, millions of people trust Western Union to send and receive money worldwide.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam