419 scam: "Mr.Ban Ki-Moon," <officemmeo8001@att.net> Attn Customer,

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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. )
- "00,000.00" (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.
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.
- +22998094578 (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.
- westernunion678@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Ban Ki-Moon," <officemmeo8001@att.net>
Reply-To: westernunion678@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:29:13 -0400
Subject: Attn Customer,

Attn Customer,

There is an issue involving $1.200MUSD which was called to Our Bank(CAPITAL
CITY BANK) from THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE OF BENIN REPUBLIC concerning
your compensation of $1.200,000.00 USD has been forwarded to Western Union
Money Transfer and An instruction has come directly from Mr.Jona Eze of
Ministry Of Finance.

This includes every foreign contractors that may have not received their
contract sum, and people that have had an unfinished transaction or
international businesses that failed due to Government problems etc.Them found
your name in the list and that is why we are contacting you,

Them asked us to start sending your fund installmentally $5000 per a day
through western union money transfer.This type of transfer means you will be
receiving $5000 every day through western union until the total of $1.200 MUSD
is completely transferred to you.

Today,our bank has effected your first payment of $5000 through western union.
Now you have to Contact Dr. Larry C Oaks on his contact below as he is the
person in charge of your payment.

The Western union Agent is:Name: Dr. Larry C Oaks
private number +229 98094578
Email :(westernunion678@yahoo.com)

Money sent Through Western Union Money Transfer amount sent $5,000.00 to you
today. So contact Dr. Larry C Oaks on above email address and tell him to give
you needed information and also for him to help you pick the $5,000.00.Do
reply also with your name and address as directed below to avoid mistakes like
transfering to a wrong person.

Reconfirm your address
(1)Your Full name: ................
(2)Your Phone number: ...................
(3)Your Contact address: .................
(4)Your Age: ...................................

This have been agreed upon and have been signed Therefore, we are happy to
inform you that an arrangement has perfectly been concluded to effect your
payment as soon as possible in our bid to be transparent.

Are you ready to pick up this $5,000.00 sent today? Call Dr Larry C Oaks now
for your first Payment of $5000,00 today because the first Payment of $5000,00
is ready today call his private number +229-98-09-45-78 now.to avoid mistakes
like transferingthe the first payment to a wrong person

Best Regards.
Mr Ban Ki-Moon

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam