419 scam: John Tony <offcelr@yahoo.com.ph> THE MTCN :# 5820554539

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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)
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "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.
- +22968133317 (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.
- westernunionmtf@yahoo.se (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: John Tony <offcelr@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: westernunionmtf@yahoo.se
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2012 15:25:54 +0100 (BST)
Subject: THE MTCN :# 5820554539

Dear FriendI'm writing to inform you that we have already sent your first payment of USD5000.00 dollars to your address this evening, through Western union as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full compensation payment total sum of (USD$1.4million) via western union by the Authorities of IMF/SENATORS COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN PAYMENT.Meanwhile, The first transfer of $5,000 was sent to you and I have listed the MTCN and sender's name so that you can pick up this USD5000.00 to enable us send another USD5, 000.Tomorrow as you know we will be sending you only USD5000.00 per day. Please note that the transfer charge of $5,000 is USD$72, so contact Dr Peter Timo, the director of western union payment department in Republic of Benin with the fee to enable him release the secret code for you to pick up your payment from western union of your country because the already transferred USD$5,000. Was placed on hold due to the activation Fee of USD$72 and
call him immediately you sent email to him.Contact Him Via his direct phone line is: +22968133317.Director Name; Dr Peter TimoEmail:(westernunionmtf@yahoo.se)Try to email me once you pick up your money ok. Here are the western union payment details to pick up the USD5, 000 once you send the activation Fee then he will tell you to go any western union and pick up your fund.Payment Information.MTCN: _______________(MTCN) :# 5820554539Sender's Name: _________Samson NwamuText Question: __________transferAnswer: _______________ImmediatelyAmount Sent___________$5000.00USDCountry: _______________Republic of BeninI will be waiting to hear from you once you pick up this USD5,000,Try your best and follow up the western union in instruction by sending $72 USD so that there will give you the information to pick up your first $5,000 USD.send them the fee to this information below:Receiver Name:....Mbanefo JosephText Question:....transferAnswer:
........Immediatelycountry:.....Republic of Benincity:........CotonouCountry Code:+229Amount:.....$72 USDThanks you very much for your co-operation:Mrs John Tony.(Supervisor Western Union Republic of Benin)Regulated by the Delivery Services Authority

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam