419 scam: "Mrs.Thomas Meienber"<test@test.com> Attention Beneficiary

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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:
- "atm card department" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "million dollars" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +447017070183 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- atmcolesify@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Thomas Meienber" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atmcolesify@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2012 15:45:50 -0500
Subject: Attention Beneficiary

Attention Beneficiary,

I wish to use this medium to inform you that your CONTRACT/INHERITANCE/WINNING Part Payment of USD2.3M (Two Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars) from CENTRAL BANK OF London have been RELEASED and APPROVED for onward transfer to you via an ATM CARD which you will use to withdraw all the USD2.3M in any ATM SERVICE MACHINE in any part of the world.

We have mandated Mr.Cole Sify, to send you the ATM CARD and PIN NUMBER which you will use to withdraw all your USD2.3 Million Dollars in any ATM SERVICE MACHINE in any part of the world.

You are therefore advice to contact the Head of ATM CARD Department of London:

Contact Person: Mr. Cole Sify

E-mail address: atmcolesify@yahoo.co.uk

Tele: +447017070183

Tell Mr. Cole Sify that you received a message from the office of the Presidency,instructing him to send you the ATM CARD and PIN NUMBER which you will use to withdraw your due fund in any ATM SERVICE MACHINE in any part of the world, also send him your direct phone number and contact address where you want him to send the ATM CARD and PIN NUMBER to you.

We are very sorry for the plight you have gone through in the past years. Thanks for adhering to this instruction and once again accept our congratulations.

Best Regards.

Mrs.Thomas Meienber

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam