419 scam: "Ms.Gayleatha B. Brown," <high.commision@live.com> GOOD NEWS

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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:
- "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. )
- "are expected to pay " (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. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
- +22999499931 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Ms.Gayleatha B. Brown," <high.commision@live.com>
Reply-To: ambassadors@ws-loei.ac.th
Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:24:55 +0100 (BST)
Subject: GOOD NEWS

Embassy of Benin, American Embassy

9901 Sorrel Ave, Potomac, Montgomery, 01BP 2012,

Cotonou Benin

Tel. (229) 21 40 06 48

Fax: (229)21 30 03 22

Attention Beneficiary

Welcome to the United
States Of America Embassy Benin Republic, we are here to represent,
protect the legal interest of every American and the businesses of
every Foreigner and especially to the North Atlantic Treaty
Organisation (NATO) member country Citizens domiciled here in Cotonou,
Benin Republic.

We write to inform you
of the breaking news about your Inheritance fund of ($1.2 million USD)
that was deposited at Western Union from the financial regulatory
bodies of this country, from their report I gathered that your
Inheritance fund which was scheduled to have been remitted into your
account through Western Union office Benin Republic was boycotted by
some corrupt officials of Western Union with intention of diverting
your fund into their private account hence they went on asking you to
pay endless money.

However, I got the Benin
Republic International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) involve
for investigation, and in their bid to launch a full scale
investigation into the saga, they found out that the reason why you
were swindled in the past and still not been able to receive your fund
till date was because you were dealing with the wrong persons,
unscrupulous elements, and impostors that were impersonating Western
Union. Prior to that I have order for the arrest all those who were
involved.

Haven said that we held
an emergency meeting with the Government of Benin Republic, and it was
resolved that you shall be receiving $4000USD each day until your total
fund is finished within the calculated break down of Eight (9) weeks.

Furthermore, we have
summon the amalgamated union governing all the Western Union stores in
this country and their Chairman referred your fund to Western Union
(54) of Rue 29085 Nzager Kolonbo Street, New heaven Off Chez Paprie,
Cotonou , Benin Republic.

Here is their contact information;

Dr.Richard Wilson

www.w.u.m.t@w.cn

+229)994-999-31

Though the VAT charges
that you were supposed to pay was initially on the high price but has
been cut down to $58 by the USA Embassy in Benin Republic as part of
our corporate social responsibility to considering the poor economic
situations that make it difficult for the middle class citizens to meet
up with the VAT of their entitlement.

Note that the $58 is the
only money that you shall pay to Mr. Obieluo Antony. of Western union
(54) before they shall start sending you the Originals of the payment
details that shall enable you pick up your first $4000 USD from any
Western Union in your city. Note that the $58 is compulsory for you to
pay them as it was agreed in the meeting that you have to pay the $58
which will serve as re-confirmation to your original file at Western
union (54)

Meanwhile you are advice to reconfirm the below information to Western Union (54) upon contacting them to avoid wrong transfer.

1. Your Full Name: ...................................

2. Your Direct Cell No: .............................

3. Your Home Address: .............................

4. Your City: ..............................................

5. Your Country: .......................................

Note that you are
expected to pay only $58 for re-confirmation of your file and you are
to pay it to Western union (54) Benin Republic as the origination of
the Fund in the favour of Mr. Obieluo Antony. Send the $58 through
western union once you receive this email with the information below
for reconfirmation of your file that will enhance the release of your
Fund,

Receivers -----------Name:Obieluo Antony

City: -----------------Cotonou

Country: -------------Benin Republic

Test Question: ------ How Long ?

Answer: ------------- Today

Amount: ------------$58

senders name-------

Once you send the money,
try to notify them with the MTCN for easy pick up and for immediate
action on the release of your $4000USd and your subsequent payments.
Note that any unclaimed funds will be return to the Government of Benin
after 21days.

So you are urgently advised to comply with our directives so that you shall receive your fund without stress again.

Yours Faithfully,

Ms. Gayleatha B. Brown,

U.S. Ambassador to Benin

Phone: (+229)994-999-31

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam