419 scam: Pastor Frank <pastor_frank6@yahoo.cn> GREETING FROM USA EMBASSY BENIN REPUBLIC,

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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- +229 (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.
- usaembassybeninrepublic1@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Pastor Frank <pastor_frank6@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: usaembassybeninrepublic1@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:47:19 +0800 (CST)
Subject: GREETING FROM USA EMBASSY BENIN REPUBLIC,

Department of State

Bureau of
Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

GREETING FROM USA
EMBASSY BENIN REPUBLIC,
THIS MAIL IS ONLY FOR THE OWNER OF THIS
E-MAIL ADDRESS

ATTENTION:

Hello how are you doing today I hope that
all is well together your family, I am .Pastor Frank, I am so surprise how you
keep to send the fee as we take about last week and you know that how I promise
you about your consignment box sum of the $15.5Million Usd will be delivery you
once you send the total amount of $53 dollars and the reason I want to contact
you now is to inform you that your consignment will be Divert to government
account as you did not capable to send the fee and you will know that you have
once 48hours to send the fee or you will lose it because I am try how you will
make unused of your consignment box but you did not care about it so you will
keep to follow those people, and I sure you that once you finished with them you
must come back to me b because I know that your consignment box is not with them
but in our custody here for you.

And if you real want to receive your box you
will try and send the fee as I Directed you to send the fee to enable you have
your box ok.

And you will stop to follow those people you
keep to follow all the time because them are deceiveing you to take money from
you since and i advice to bear with me today and send the fee and i am give you
my Number(+229 67021176 ) now once you sent the fee call at this Number(+229
67021176 ) Mr.Roland Wilton, Director incharge and once you send the fee try and
forward to us the payment details immediately and send your full information so
that your consignment box will leave immediately ok.

i am looking forward to hear form you with
the western union payment information for you to receive your box with out any
delay and be mind that those people you follow is wrong people your box is here
our usa embassy benin republic now once you send the total amount of $53 dollars
you will receive your box with 48hours.

All the welfare of United States Citizen
is my consign. Am here to take the protocol of all our citizens to not be
cheated by Africans.

After the meeting held by our board of
director which was concluded that the delivery of your consignment to your
address must be complete within three working days upon your comply to our
requirement which is by sending the sum of $53.00 immediately as you read this
message today to enable us obtain the needed certificate and effect with the
delivery of your consignment immediately.

Note that your consignment box has been
arrived in US embassy benin and waiting to receive clearance certificate before
the gate pass is given. Mean while you are advice to reconfirm the below
information upon contacting us to avoid delivery to wrong person.

1, your full
name:
2, your
home address:
3,
your occupation:

4, Direct Telephone Number:
5, Your Country:
6, Your City
7, Your
Age

Once you notify us with the above
information we will release your consignment to you,

Contact our office of the Embassy Direct
with the following information below,
Email: ( usaembassybeninrepublic1@hotmail.com )
Contact person, Mr.Roland
Wilton,

Note that you are
expected to pay only $53.00 for clearance certificate and you are to pay it to
Benin Republic as the origination of the consignment box in favor of Mr. Chris
Bala as our accountant officer in Benin Republic Send the $53.00 through western
union or Money Gram once you receive this mail with the information below for
immediate release of your consignment box,

HERE IS THE NAME AND
ADRESS FOR YOU TO SEND THE FEE FAST NOW.

Receivers Name:
Stephen Chukwukelu

Country: Benin
Republic
City:Cotonou

Test Question:WHEN

Answer :NOW

Mtcn number ?

Once you send the money, try to
notify us with the MTCN for easy pick up and for immediate action on the
release of your consignment. Please treat this matter of urgency. Note that any
uncliam consignment will be return to the Courier Company after 3 days for final
diversion.

So you are
urgently advice to comply with our demand so that we will release your
consignment immediately.

Regard,
Pastor Frank.
Call Us Here Phone:
+229 67021176
GREETING FROM USA EMBASSY BENIN
REPUBLIC,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam